INsite Atlanta May 2011 Issue

May 2011

www. insiteatlanta .com

Vol. 19, No. 10 FREE

31Days of

Jazz

Trombone Shorty

Atlanta Jazz

Festival

Also this month‌

East Atlanta Beer Festival, Kirkwood Spring Fling, Decatur Arts Festival & Gone With The Wind 75th Anniversary

PASSPORT

PROGRAM

CONTEST A Jazz Journey Through Metropolitan Atlanta

ENTER FOR A “A VISUALLY DAZZLING LONDON-BORN PRODUCTION CHANCE TO WIN! OF J M BARRIE’S PETER PAN.” From May 1-25, visit at least 7 partner

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

venues listed on the 31 days calendar -WALL STREET JOURNAL

and turn in your card on May 25 at Grape Crush Productions’ Wine & Chocolate Tasting at Cellar 56. Visit www.AtlantaFestivals.com for more details.

MONDAY, MAY 30 | 7P CHASTAIN AMPHITHEATER

ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTS

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

An Exhibition of Real Human Bodies

GEORGE MARCUS DAVID

www.BodiesAtlanta.com

D M S

SATURDAY, MAY 28 | 10P

presents

TOGETHER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

LIVE

ON STAGE

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE

MAY 30 • CHASTAIN PARK AMPHITHEATRE SPONSORED BY

, PRODUCER OF

AND

TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS OR CHARGE BY PHONE: 800-745-3000. ALL DATES, ACTS AND TICKET PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. TICKET PRICES SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEES.

PRODUCED BY THE CITY OF ATLANTA OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

EXPERIENCE YOUR

LIFE IN THE DARK

AJF LATE NIGHT JAZZ JAM

MIKE PHILLIPS

FEATURING OPENING PERFORMANCE

BY CHANDRA CURRELLEY Loews Atlanta Hotel – Ellington Ballroom $20/advance | $25/door www.ticketalternative.com

www.AtlantaFestivals.com

NOW PLAYING THRU MARCH 20!

www.peterpantheshow.com/atlanta Or call 1-888-PPANTIX (772-6849)

The NBA Nation Tour

Logo - Black & White

SCAN ME

Theatre in Pemberton Place adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola

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

- Elizabeth Landou, CNN

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

03.08.11

To see a video preview, scan this QR code with your smart phone

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

www.DialogTickets.com

BOTH AT ATLANTIC STATION!

PRODUCED BY:

Follow us: The 2011 Atlanta Jazz Festival is a program of the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

@PeterPantheShow

PG2 2• •insiteatlanta.com insiteatlanta.com• •May February PG 2011 2011

peterpantheshow

PREMIER EXHIBITION CENTER

PREMIER EXHIBITIONS (NASDAQ:PRXI)

Contents • May 2011 • VoluMe 19.10

Enjoy

May 14th

the

Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

IntervIews 06 10 11 15 21 22 22 23 23 25 26 26 27 27 28 29

Paul ReiseR natalie PoRtMan MaRgaRet Cho Megan Fox the RadiatoRs ZakiR hussain guy haRVey seun kuti new PoRnogRaPheRs Jon ludwig PRoM staRs Justin ChadwiCk FReelanCe whales the antleRs sCReaM 4 staRs Justin MoRneau

08 09 12 24

MaRgaRitas taPas eduCation guide tRaVel to ChaRleston

10

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

Fast & fun course thru our historic neighborhood, after party & prizes.

FREE BEER coupon for all pre-registrants!

ART

&

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

(May 14, 10am–11pm) ARTIST MARKET, FOOD & BEER,

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

Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive NE, Atlanta 30317

TOUR OF HOMES

(May 14 & 15, 12– 6pm) From Victorian to Modern, explore the character that makes Kirkwood unique. $12/advance, $15/day of

11

VISIT

KIRKWOODFLING.COM FOR DETAILS KIRKWOODFLING.COM

VISIT

Made possible through these great folks:

Features

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

aRound town on taP on a diMe eVents undeR the lights MoVie ReViews Vidiots ConCeRt CalendaR Road waRRioRs we got next albuMs FaVoRite things Video gaMes FanatiC

SPECIAL GUEST

15 Presents:

26

www.insiteatlanta.com staff LIstInG Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com managing editor Bret Love bret@insiteatlanta.com art Director / Web Design Michael T. graphics@insiteatlanta.com sports editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Local events editor Marci Miller marci@insiteatlanta.com music editor Sacha Dzuba sacha@insiteatlanta.com

Follow us on the web!

Contributing Writers / Interns: John Moore, Jon Latham, Ryan Loftis, Matt Goldberg, Rodney Hill, Alex S. Morrison, Alec Wooden, Roger Presswood, Dave Cohen, Russ Marshalek, Jennifer Sefa-Boakye, Jessica Cole, Jennifer Williams, Matt Connor, Rebecca Crosby and Brad Binkley ContaCt Us 2250 north Druid Hills Rd. #234 atlanta, Ga 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com aDveRtIsInG InfoRmatIon 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 2011, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Check out our Charleston feature on page 24.

7-17

JULY 2011

2011 national blaCK arts festiVal at centennial olYMPic Park

JulY 15tH -17tH: free anD oPen to tHe Public Main stage @ centennial olympic Park

Three days of unforgettable music that will have audiences dancing under the sun and grooving in the moonlight. Featuring: funkjazz, Afro-Brazilian group ilê aiyê, Cuban artists orquesta Macuba and omar sosa, Senegalese musician cheikh lo, and U.S. Jazz artist gregory Porter. Visit NBAF.org for the full lineup.

the international Marketplace

Hours: Friday-Saturday 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M., Sunday 12:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Shop over 100 vendors, artists and artisans from around the world. You will find everything from beautifully woven fabrics and clothing to skillfully handcrafted jewelry, wood carved sculptures and supple leather goods. There will be great finds for everyone from the serious collector to those who are seriously in need of retail therapy.

children’s education Village

Families and children will enjoy hands-on, interactive activities, live youth performances and the child-size replica of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s boyhood home.

Healthy cooking Pavilion

Learn to prepare healthy, well-balanced meals at the Pubix Healthy Cooking Pavilion.

tHere’s More at tHe 2011 national black arts festiVal July 7 - 17th

The Legends Celebration honoring the o’Jays Danceafrica atlanta! • Interpretations: Black Visual Art- Past, Present and Future — a special event honoring master artists • the nbaf gala Film Screenings • Visual Arts Exhibits • Symposiums, The Summer Institute • Workshops and More!

Join Us in atlanta for this Global Celebration of art and CUltUre tickets on sale now at www. nbaf. org sCan this Qr Code to Visit nbaf.orG now!

tickets are going fast, so get yours now at nbaf.org or 404.733.5000; group sales 404.881.2101. buy tickets before June 1st and save; become a member of nbaf at nbaf.org and save even more!

nbaf receives major financial support from the Coca-Cola Company, UPs foundation, Comcast, turner Voices, Georgia-Pacific, nonprofit finance fund/doris duke Charitable foundation, Georgia Power Company, bank of america, and Publix super Markets. additional support for nbaf is generously provided by the target foundation. nbaf receives major public support from the national endowment for the arts, fulton County board of Commissioners through the fulton County arts Council, Georgia Council for the arts, City of atlanta office of Cultural affairs, Georgia humanities Council and the national endowment for the humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General assembly, and the atlanta Convention and Visitors bureau.

Photo by terra t. Coles

take Marta to tHe festiVal

NBAF_InSite_4.27.indd 1

PG 3 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011 4/27/11 6:46:56 PM

Around Town May is the last month to take a trip to Timbuktu at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta in “From Here to Timbuktu: A Journey Through West Africa.” The exhibit closes on May 30. Go to childrensmuseumatlanta.org for tickets and details.

ALL MAY

The Virginia-Highlands community knows how to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Come to the parking lot between Pozole and Limerick Junction on May 5 between 5pm and 11pm for the fun and festivities. Go to atlantacincodemayo. com. Tickets are $5.

MAY 05

Don’t miss the Bank of America’s “Museums on Us” Program on May 7 and May 8 from 10am-5pm at the High Museum of Art. “Museums on Us” offers Bank of America cardholders the opportunity to visit the High free of charge on the first full weekend of every month. To qualify for the Museums on Us program, Bank of America customers simply present their ATM, credit or check card and a valid photo ID to gain free general admission to any participating institution.

Visit high.org for more info.

MAY 07

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History will offer a special Forest Walk on May 8 to showcase the Champion Trees that live in Fernbank Forest. Champion Trees are awarded as part of a program with Trees Atlanta, recognizing Atlanta’s largest trees of each species that are found inside I-285. The Champion Tree Forest Walk will be offered from 2-4 p.m., offering a great way to celebrate nature in Fernbank’s old-growth forest. This 2-hour walk is led by Fernbank’s Environmental Education Programs Manager, Eli

MAY 08

Theatre/Film

Dickerson, and is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Fernbank is located at 767 Clifton Road in Atlanta.

Space is limited and advanced registration is strongly encouraged.

On May 10 at 8pm, the Marcus JCC of Atlanta’s A Page from the Book Festival is pleased to welcome Comedian Gilbert Gottfried, as he presents his long-awaited memoir, “Rubber Balls and Liquor,” a hilarious romp inside one of America’s greatest contemporary comedic minds.

The event will be held in an “In Conversation” format with Dave FM’s Jimmy Baron. The Book Talk and Signing will take place at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta (5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody).

A book signing will immediately follow the discussion. Tickets are on sale now.. For info, visit atlantajcc.org.

MAY 10

The Artful Garden Tour kicks off on May 14 providing self-led tours of seven of Atlanta’s finest gardens.

Hosted by the High Museum of Art’s social and volunteer group, Art Partners, all proceeds will benefit the High Museum of Art. Art Partners and Artful Garden Tour sponsor Westside Provisions District will kick off this year’s event on Thursday, May 12, with the Urban Chic Garden Party in Atlanta’s Westside Provisions District.

For ticket pricing and additional information, visit high.org/gardentour.com.

MAY 14

Museums/Exhibits/Arts

and spirits from such beverage innovators and luminaries as Greg Best from Atlanta’s Holeman & Finch Public House and Julian Van Winkle of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, while learning about the history and future of distilling in the South. To purchase tickets, visit atlfoodandwinefestival.com.

The Mansion on Peachtree will present classic films in the hotel’s English Garden this spring and summer. The Buckhead hotel’s 2011 outdoor film series will feature dancing on the ceiling, a murder in the South and Hitchcock’s famous blondes with fabulous gourmet fare and signature cocktails under the stars. Check out “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” on May 20. Tickets are $40 each and includes two drinks, hors d’oeuvres and parking. Pre-screening reception begins at 7pm, with films beginning at 8. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 404-995-7545.

MAY 20

Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, Sazeracs – the Southern cocktail culture is thriving, and the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival will be the ideal showcase for traditional and innovative spirit creations. From May 19-22, festival guests will enjoy Southern cocktails

MAY 19

DO Are YOUyouNaEED HELP ?

Veteran returning

from the war and experiencing some of these symptoms?

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

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

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

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

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

if you qualify for the study.

Compensation will be provided for participation.

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

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

Advancing Possibilities ADVANCING THE PThe OSSIBILITIES

PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Music/Comedy/Sports

Other Stuff

Sample more than 170 craft beers from across the globe at the East Atlanta Beer Festival on May 21. The event offers participants the chance to visit shops and restaurants in East Atlanta Village, enjoy live local music on the festival’s main stage and enjoy a wide array of food. All proceeds benefit community projects. A 6oz. sampling glass will be provided at the entrance. You must be 21 to attend.

Go to eabfonline.com for additional info. Tickets are $35 in advance.

MAY 21

The 2011 Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week is back May 28June 5 for its 10th anniversary this year and to celebrate this momentous occasion the event has added a few new restaurants including Dantanna’s Downtown, Der Biergarten and Georgia Peach. The week-long event features the best Downtown Atlanta’s Dining District has to offer and is one of the most anticipated and highly attended culinary events in the city. Now you can conveniently make your reservations online at opentable.com. Meals will are at the fixed rate of $25 or $35 per meal depending upon the restaurant and their menu.

MAY 28

The Atlanta History Center will honor Memorial Day and the contributions of veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and current conflicts with Veterans Remembrance Day on May 29. Spend a day in the company of veterans and hear their stories of wartime through personal accounts and memorabilia. Living history interpreters represent soldiers of previous wars, including World War I and the Civil War, by showing authentic dress, equipment, and vehicles. This program runs from noon to 5pm. Purchase tickets or call 404.814.4000 for more information.

MAY 29

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.

LOCAL

LOCAL EVENTS

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

May 14-15: Kirkwood KIRKWOOD SPRING FLING

The historic neighborhood of Kirkwood will host its ninth annual Spring Fling Festival and Tour of Homes this month. The weekend will kickoff with a 5K Race at 8am on May 14 and continue with a street market and diverse lineup of bands. Drivin’ n Cryin’ will make an appearance. The Tour of Homes also offers a unique insight into community. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the days of the tours. Go to kirkwoodfling.com.

May 21: Brownwood Park EAST ATLANTA BEER FESTIVAL

If you’re looking for the best beer experience and festival in town, you’re likely to find it in East Atlanta. The EABF returns on May 21 with 170 different craft beers from across the globe. The experience comes with a free glass, and all proceeds from the event go to local East Atlanta community projects. Tickets go quickly and start at $35 in advance. Don’t wait or they will be sold out. For more festival information, go online to eabfonline.com.

May 22: Georgia World Congress Center WALK NOW FOR AUTISM SPEAKS

The Georgia Walk Now for Autism Speaks has raised more than $3.8 million in the last five years for autism awareness, advocacy and research. The event returns on May 22 at the International Plaza of the Georgia World Congress Center with a walk, activities for children and a resource fair for parents. This special event partners with the Marcus Autism Center. For details and more, go to walknowforautismspeaks.com/georgia.

May 26 : Cobb Energy Centre BILL MAHER

John Stewart isn’t alone in the world of blending politics and humor. He may not even be the best at it. Bill Maher has hosted “Politically Incorrect” and “Real Time” on HBO for the last 15 years, bringing his sharp opinion, humor and an interesting mix of guests to our televisions. The New York City native will come to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on May 26 at 8pm. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or cobbenergycentre.com.

May 28-29: Decatur Square DECATUR ARTS FESTIVAL

Memorial Day wouldn’t be complete without the Decatur Arts Festival. The beautiful Decatur Square undergoes a transformation into a seas of artists and vendors. The event is one of the largest gatherings of artists in the city. Come view the amazing gallery of work. The festival starts on Friday at 5pm and continues Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm. Visit decaturartsfestival.com for more.

May 28-30: Piedmont & Chastain Park ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs will present the 34th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival this month with a return to Piedmont Park and a fantastic lineup of legendary and emerging jazz artists. This is one of the last free jazz festivals in the country, exposing the city and the world to a great legacy of entertainment. All concerts in Piedmont Park are open and free to the public. For more information and a complete lineup of bands and artists, visit atlantafestivals.com.

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

Know of a low cost event of happening? Event@AtlantaOnADime.com

By Marci Miller TASTE UNDERGROUND ATLANTA 2011 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SOUTHEASTERN CALLAWAY GARDENS PHOENIXOFFLIES HUNGER WALK/RUN 5KFLOWER SHOW Saturday, May 7, Free Through Feb. 28, FREE Feb. 25 27, Adults $18 ($15 in advance) “LIVE ATCELEBRATION LUNCH” OF LIVING LANDMARKS” March 13, Noon-4pm, $25 for runners “CITYWIDE Callaway Gardens Every March Wednesday 5-20, Free in May & June, 11:30am-2pm 17800 US HwyUnderground 27 Around the Kenny’s Landmarks Alley, Atlanta Various City Pine Mountain, Georgia 50 Upper Alabama Street, Atlanta phoenixflies.org callawaygardens.com www.undergound-atlanta.com

The Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Living

Admission Callaway Gardens is Participating merchants will by offer Taste Landmarks wasto created in 2003 TheAAtlanta complimentary through the end of this of Underground (TOUG) specials Preservation CenterAtlanta as a way to celebrate the month (Price isofnormally $15June. for Weekly adults, each Wednesday intheMay and 25th anniversary dramatic rescue of the $6.50 per providing guests with specials arechild) listed on-line are available Fox Theatre, an event that and changed Atlanta’s the opportunity to enjoy time with their at the Information canthe order preservation outlookBooth. forever.Diners This year, list family and nature. their lunch “to go”reconnecting and ofbring toin Theatre, Kenny’s includes freefriends guided tours The Fox Free admission includes thelunch Virginia Alley for an enjoyable outdoor with Piedmont Park, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day live entertainment, vendors and more.

Civil War Atlanta Walking Tour, Tullie Smith Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Please check website details. House, the Farm House, MargaretforMitchell Center, Mr.Park Cason’s Vegetable new Beltline and much more. Garden, Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Overlook FIESTA ATLANTA 2011 Garden, Discovery Bicycle Trail, Pioneer Sunday, MayCRAFT 1, 10am-7pm, AMERICAN COUNCIL Free SHOW IN ATLANTA Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Centennial Olympic Park March 10-13, Regular admission: $13 Chapel, nature trails and daily programs.

265 Park Ave West N.W., Children under 12: free Atlanta www.fiestaatlanta.com Cobb Galleria Center THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta Feb. 10 27, Tickets range from $15 This is Atlanta’s and- $35 largest craftcouncil.org/Atlantapremier Turner Fieldoutdoor Green Lotfestival. Fiesta Atlanta Hispanic 521 Avenue, Atlanta takes placeevent everyis the Cinco de Mayo ThisCapitol 3-day largest juried weekend fine craft universoulcircus.com at Centennial Olympic Park thehas heart of Show in the southeast. The in show been

Atlanta and is marketplace the “main event” culminating the premiere for regional fine The UniverSoul Circus the week-long celebration of Fiesta craft lovers and collectors, and offersAtlanta guests continues week.

Overto50,000 people areits expected to the chance meet and purchase worksurge from to the top of the live attend this day-long celebration of Latino esteemed artists from around the country. To entertainment ranks culture.

Featuring continuous live musical reach first-time collectors and established craft with its interactive funky performances on 2 stages by national collectors alike, the newest show categoryand for rendition of aUnder traditional local recording sponsor displays participating artistsartists, is Handmade $100. circus.

UniverSoul has with freework product samples, and Artistsmany who sell for under $100 arts will have captivated audiences crafts and authentic food from a number of their booths specially marked for patrons from around the world Latin-American countries. interested in starting a collection.

with its unique brand that blends circus arts, CONCERTS

BY SPEEDWAY THE SPRINGS ATLANTA MOTOR FREEand OPEN music.

HOUSE theater May 7-8:30pm, FreeFree March1,12, 11am-3pm, Founded AtlantaSociety over HeritageMotor Green, Sandy in Springs Atlanta Speedway 17 years ago, the audience Entertainment Lawn 1500 Tara Place, Hampton will watch amazement 6110 Bluestone Road,inSandy Springs as stilt atlantamotorspeedway.com walkers make their way www.heritagesandysprings.org across a tight rope, horse riders perform death-defying Visit the track’s Open House for free.

Activities stunts, and15thcontortionists bend intois Now in championship its year, legends this concert series include racing on the incredible and beautiful shapes. scheduled on Sunday evenings throughout

quarter-mile “Thunder Ring.”, free drawings the summer.

Thisyour yearown kicks on track May for big prizes, drive car off on the CHEERSPORT 2011 NATIONAL 1with withthe“A-Town A-List”, the popular local purchase of Labor Day NASCAR band years CHEERLEADING &50DANCE tickets,that fans covers can select their seatsofforpop the music Labor with a current, modern edge.

Attendees Day Race Weekend, tour the Speedway’s race CHAMPIONSHIP are encouraged to arrive participate control suites,early taketophotos with Feb. 18 –tower 20 and and enjoy the beautiful setting. the Atlanta and a $30 for 2-dayMotor pass Speedway pace car Picnic baskets, coolers are welcomed.

NASCAR Sprint Cupblankets Series winner’s trophy, $20 for 1-day passand Pets and smoking are not allowed.

Tables discounts gift shop and much more.

Kids Under at5 AMS are Free are available for purchase.

Georgia World Congress Center 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE cheersport.net May 7, 14, 21, 28, 7-9:30pm, Free DecaturitSquare, Downtown Decatur Bring on…this electrifying cheerleading www.decaturdba.com and dance competition features teams competing from across America. This Pack ityour picnic, bring larger your quilts and year, expects to grow than ever blankets anparticipating, evening of musical with overand 900enjoy teams from entertainment every Saturday in May ages three through college. night Cheersport & September. featurewho a variety was founded byConcerts all-star coaches loved of bands. Brought to you by and the Decatur competitive cheerleading dance.

Business andfullsponsored by Check theAssociation website for the competition Wachovia Bank of Georgia. Check website schedule.

Comic Shops throughout Atlanta Youth/Student $7, Kids under 5Metro are Free Free forBook walkers www.freecomicbookday.com Cobb Galleria Centre Parking is free Two Galleria Turner Field Parkway, Green LotAtlanta sehort.org 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta hungerwalkrun.org Presented by the Southeastern Horticultural Society, this annual premier Join thousands of runners and walkers at gardening event promotes preservation this annual event that benefits the Atlanta and awareness Community Food of Bankflowers and fiveand otherplants local through education and artistic expression. nonprofits. Participants can register as a team Show activitiesonline include speakers, or individually or register the juried day of competition, kids’ activities, Landscape & the event. There will be activities for all ages Discovery Gardens and more. including games, live entertainment & more.

Gates open at noon, the 5K run & walk begin at 2 p.m.

10th ANNUAL OAKHURST WINE CRAWL

Saturday, Feb. 26, 4 pm-7 pm $25 in advance A-TOWN DAYfor Tasting Glass $30 day26,ofNoon-8pm, event March $5 This annual event happens every year on Oakhurst Business District Lakewood the first Saturday in May. Participating oakhurstga.org 2002 Ave SE, AtlantaNorth America comicLakewood book shops across atownday.com and around the world give away comic Participants in this year’s event will get books absolutely free to anyone who to sampleDAY from care around theconcert, world A-TOWN is astores. health festival, comes intowines their Check the website while exploring allof the businesses in the and a major day Awareness celebrating for locations in Metro Atlanta, there are Oakhurst There willbenefits be 20 all things neighborhood.

Atlanta. A-TOWN DAY several. participating establishments and the event the Diabetes Association of Atlanta and The expects sell out quickly.

ThewillFur Bus B-Aware to Foundation.

This event feature SWEET “WORLDFEST” will be AUBURN on poetry, handSPRINGFEST tocartransport live music, show and participants lots of family May 7 & 8, Saturday: 11am -9pm, Sunday: from barevents. to bar. Tickets can be purchased friendly 2-9pm, Free from Steinbeck’s Ale House, Ujoint, 145 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta and Karvana Shop, allWEEK located in INMAN PARK Coffee RESTAURANT www.sweetauburn.com Oakhurst village.

March 28-April 3, $15 $25 & $35 for three-course mealheritage and Celebrating the culture,

IHOP NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY CELEBRATION inmanparkrestaurantweek.com the arts on Atlanta’s Historic Auburn

Tuesday, March 1, 7 am-10 pm, Free Pancakes Avenue, the Sweet Auburn SpringFest International House of Pancakes Savorbecome historic Inman ParkAfrican-American with three-course has the largest Locations throughout Atlanta Proceeds dinners from 11 local restaurants. cultural festival inMetro the Southeast. The IHOPPancakeday.com will benefit Project Open Hand, which helps

festival features 7 Stages of continuous people prevent food, or better chronic entertainment, Kid’smanage Funtastic Fun On thisthrough day, customers will nutrition receive care. one disease comprehensive Zone, Live Green Pavilion, Sports Zone free short stack IHOP’s famous $1 raffle tickets soldofand will go towards Challenge, Carwill(three) &beBike Show, Health & buttermilk pancakes.

All they askwill is that the charity.

The winner of the raffle win Fitness Fair & much more. patrons making donation to a hosted consider hor d’ouerves, beer aand wine party support at Park’s local Edge children’s Restauranthospitals for thirtythrough of their GONE WITH THE WIND CELEBRATION: Children’s Miracle or other friends. Each Inman Network Park restaurant will local bring 75Th ANNIVERSARY charities. beginningforitstheNational tastes from Since their restaurants winner.

May 10:30am -4:30pm Pancake Day in 2006, The 14, winner willcelebration be announced at the IHOP end of Margaret Mitchell House Museum has raised more $5.35 millionfortoa the restaurant week.than Check the website 990 Peachtree support charities inAtlanta the communities complete list ofStreet, participating restaurants. in www.margaretmitchellhouse.com which it operates.

The Atlanta History Center’s Margaret Mitchell House celebrates the 75th anniversary of the publication of Mitchell’s acclaimed novel, Gone With the Wind, presenting a variety of exclusive public programs throughout the 2011 anniversary. Experience 150 years of history with this special program by delving into the entire Gone With the Wind story and travel through time, including Civil War soldiers in the heart of Atlanta, the city in the 1920s when Margaret Mitchell wrote the book, and the lasting legacy of the Pulitzer Prizewinning novel.

for full concert schedule.

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

PG 5 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

FILM

MAD ABOUT WHO? Paul Reiser Returns to TV with A New Sitcom

By JennI WILLIaMs

M

any of us grew up watching paul reiser and Helen Hunt play america’s favorite modern funny couple. But once we said goodbye to their new family of three, paul resier wasn’t a name that really stuck around. In fact, while Hunt worked her way into our hearts forever as an educator on tornado chasing what edifying women want and, reiser was all but forgotten on the front end.

Little did we know, the ignorant Hollywood judgment panel from afar, reiser was busy preparing himself for a full circle come back to the silver screen. with The paul reiser show, premiering on Thursday april 14th at 8:30, the actor, writer and producer stars as himself, a man contemplating the day to day as he navigates the joys and complications of family life alongside an interesting collection of friends. Insite got the chance to hear what its all about, and why it’s taken him so long to get back on tv.

How is this being a one-camera filmed show, without the studio audience, different from your experience on Mad About You? The irony is I always wanted to do single camera. even when we did Mad about you I originally pitched it as a single camera which they didn’t do back then. you know, as fun as it was to have a live audience, I never really felt that comfortable with it. I love it when I do stand-up, but I always felt

that when doing a show it kind of distracted me a bit. This feels just perfect and right and it has a much more real life quality, which is what the show is really about.

You have an eclectic group cast. How’d you decide on the players?

It’s really based on my group of friends, you know, and one of the premises of the show is sort of that when you’re a father of kids -- I find most guys have backed me up on this -- that you realize your friends are not people of your own choosing, that your friends are all fathers of your kid’s friends or husbands of your wives’ friends. and in my case this has certainly been true. I have this world of friends that I look around and go, how did I get these people?

How will the show balance stories between you and your guy friends and his home life? you know, one of the things that’s really fun about this is this show to me is everything that Mad about you had and then so much more. I mean at the heart of it, it’s really based on my life and my life starts with my family and that is the priority so it always comes down to -- and for all these guys in the show -- it comes down to, here’s what’s going on in the home and here’s what’s going on with my wife and my kids. That is so fun to explore and it was not really part of my life 15 years ago and now it is and now I have this group of guy friends that you suddenly find your-

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HavIng tHe ten, eLeven years oF not BeIng out tHere reaLLy Was soMetHIng I Wanted. you knoW, IF you put a gun to My Head tHree, Four, FIve years ago I WouLdn’t Have Been aBLe to coMe up WItH tHe sHoW self, you know, driving to Disneyland with these two guys for three hours so, okay, this is my life now.

What part of Mad About You is helping make decisions now?

In seven years of Mad about you I learned what worked for me and I learned what works and what doesn’t work. There were certain decisions I knew I wanted to make, knew a certain style I wanted sometimes just the way you structure the work day. I mean I knew I wanted this to be surrounded by friends. Helen Hunt was the first director I called and Daniel stern is an old friend and Brian gordon and it’s just a very sane, you know, at this point everybody wants to - you know you want to do your work but you want to get home, it’s - I think gone are the days where people say let’s hang out until 3 in the morning and eat Chinese food and never see our families.

Since the show is based on some real life moments, how do your wife and kids feel about some story lines maybe making it into the show that come from real life?

That’s a good question. on a good day they’re very tickled; on the other days they’re going why did you tell them that?

But you know what, my brilliant partner Jonathan shapiro - he’s putting his family in there too and one of the great things about having a partner is you get to hide behind the other guy and go, honey that was really more his wife so we feel that enough names have been changed to protect the guilty.

So why do this now?

I felt america needed me… I’m joking. It’s a very good question. I wasn’t at all looking for it, there was no design and this came about, to be honest, a very nice executive over at warner Brothers called and said I want to sit down and talk to you about something and I didn’t know what it was and then when I sat down he said we’d like you to develop something and we want you to be back on TV. He said there are people who want that sort of adult, smart heartfelt comedy and I said well, I’m really kind of enjoying staying home with the kids and geez when you do a TV show you have to really wake up early and everything and

work hard and - but, I’m nothing if not susceptible to flattery and nice things. so he said why don’t you go write something that you feel like writing and let’s see what happens and I went away and this show came out of it.

And why such a long hiatus?

Having the ten, eleven years of not being out there really was something I wanted. you know, if you put a gun to my head three, four, five years ago I wouldn’t have been able to come up with the show because I was really loving that life of not being out there and being a guy who use to be on TV and being a guy whose job and daily life is, you know, taking the kids to school. Then suddenly when I started to look at it, I thought that’s actually very rich and very universal so the timing just seemed right. you didn’t miss being away from television or movies for so long? well you know, I was working. I was doing little things. I certainly wasn’t out there, I wrote a movie that I had wanted to write for years that I finally got to write.

Last year, I got to finally do a music project that I had been wanting to do. so I got to do a lot of stuff, I wasn’t just really sitting staring into space and I had written and developed - written and produced a bunch of pilots -- about six pilots -- that I was not acting in. so I was certainly keeping active and creative but I wasn’t at all looking to be on TV, I really wasn’t and I wasn’t fighting it either, it just didn’t come up.

When you look at the life and relationships now as compared to earlier in your career, how has this been easier to notice the comedy in real life? somebody said in a way - Mad about you felt very autobiographical to me at the time but it was fictional, I had a different name, and I wasn’t playing myself but I was sort of miming my life and someone said this is really that relationship 15 years later. In the beginning they were newlyweds and no there was a lot of neurotic, gee is our relationship going to work, well its 20 years in now and yes, we’re in, nobody’s looking at the door and thinking of getting out.

Under The Lights Upcoming Theatrical Performances HAIR

AVENUE Q

www.broadwayacrossamerica.com HAIR depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60's and 70's that changed America forever.

The musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the show resonates with an irresistible message of hope more than 40 years after it first opened on Broadway. The legendary score includes such enduring musical numbers as "Let the Sun Shine In," "Aquarius," "Hair" and "Good Morning Starshine." HAIR won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and was also nominated for an additional seven Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography.

www.horizontheatre.com

THE JUDAS KISS

May 20-July 3 Horizon Theatre Box Office 404.584.7450

ART BY AMY GUIP

May 17 - 22 The Fox Theatre Ticketmaster 800.982.2787

AVENUE Q is about real life in New York City as told by a cast of people and puppets.

The central character is Princeton, a brighteyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams but settles 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. He and an eclectic cast of characters valiantly seek jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that “the real world” isn’t so bad afterall. AVENUE Q is an upbeat musical for grown-ups that is smart, hilarious, risque and full of heart, The Broadway production was a smash-hit Tony award winner for Best Musical and Best Score.

May 12 - June 11 Actors Express Box Office 404.607.7469

SPAMALOT

In THE JUDAS KISS, all of London has the taste of salacious scandal on its lips as Oscar Wilde faces trial on indecency charges.

Though he has the chance to flee, Wilde's equally scandalous lover, Bosie, persuades him to stay. Wilde emerges from prison three years later, broken but determined to reunite with his libertine lover. THE JUDAS KISS explores the tragedy of betrayal by those entrusted with our hearts and secrets. But are new beginnings possible even at the very end? THE JUDAS KISS stars Clifton Guterman and AE Artistic Director Freddie Ashley. It is written by British playwright David Hare.

www.theaterofthestars.com

www.actors-express.com

FEATURING THESE CLASSIC SONGS: LET THE SUN SHINE AQUARIUS HAIR GOOD MORNING STARSHINE

May 17-22 The Fox Theatre

ON SALE NOW! Tickets start at just $18!

Ticketmaster Outlets Ticketmaster.com 800.982.2787

June 3 - 5 The Fox Theatre Ticketmaster 800.982.2787

Taken from the international comedy team’s most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight. SPAMALOT is the winner of three 2005 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director.

Friday, June 17th

5pm-midnight at the Downtown Decatur Square Tickets $7 in advance, $10 at the gate Children under 12 free, 2 per paying adult

Groups 15+, call 404.881.2000

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1460 Northside Dr. NW | Atlanta SamFlaxSouth.com

Sand, music, dancing, games, food and fun! www.decaturdba.com PG 7 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

You’re Guide to the Best Margaritas in the City Agave

Tin Lizzy’s Cantina

242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 Cabbagetown / Grant Park www.agaverestaurant.com

3639 Piedmont Rd. 404.846.6000 415 Memorial Dr. 404.554.8220 1136 Crescent Ave 404.537.5060 www.tinlizzyscantina.com

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

This all day event will feature tequila girls, give-aways and of course Monster margaritas, burritos and tacos.

Buckhead Saloon

3227 Roswell Rd. 404.963.7739 www.buckheadsaloonatlanta.com

Voted Atlanta’s Best Margarita, Agave with its high energy dining room blends upscale Southwestern cuisine with an extensive wine list, tequila bar and exceptional service. For the past 6 years Agave has been rated excellent by the Zagat Survey, voted Best Margarita and one of Atlanta’s top 50 dining facilities.

All Agave margaritas are made with blue agave tequilas and fresh squeezed lime juice which has been why they have won so many awards for the drinks. There are over 100 blue agave tequilas and 12 specialty margaritas including the Herradura Silver Top Shelf, the Ultimate Margarita made with premium Cuervo Platino, The Corzo Perfecto make with Agave Nectar, & the Fresh Fruit Mango Margarita made with 1800 Silver and Fresh Mango Juice. Other award winning drinks include: The Cuervo Traditional with Jose Cuervo Especial, fresh lime and triple sec & sour. The Agave Reposado Margatini, served straight up with Cuervo Tradicional Reposado, triple sec, fresh lime & sour. The Agave Don Eduardo Anejo with Don Eduardo Anejo, triple sec, fresh lime and sour served on the rocks. Agave should be your first stop on your quest for the best margarita in the city!

Craving a margarita? How about a classic onthe-rocks for just $4, or a low-calorie Sinless Margarita, or take a walk on the wild side with a 100 proof High Octane tequila? Tin Lizzy’s Cantina located throughout Atlanta with three metro locations offers up the most distinctive and delicious margaritas this side of the Southeast. With competitive prices per glass or pitcher and a variety of flavors, Tin Lizzy’s is the best place to go for margaritas. Each margarita is hand-crafted specifically to your order, from the tequila brand right down to the salt on the rim. Try our multiple fruit flavors including Pomegranate or Mango, or even our blend of Sangria and Margarita: What would a margarita be without chips and queso too? Tin Lizzy’s boasts an award-winning menu with Southwest-inspired appetizers and entrees including menu staples like tacos and quesadillas, plus their distinctive skillets and famous cupcakes. Enjoy an ice-cold pitcher of margaritas and steaming-hot plate of nachos at one of our famous locations during a warm, sunny Atlanta afternoon. You’ll regret the hangover, but not the meal.

PANCHO’S

Catering Now Available

Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Home of tHe

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

Lunch Specials!

Starting at $4.99

Thursdays – TRIVIA! Saturdays – MARIAcHI BAnd

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

Hours r M-Th 11am-10pN r Fri 11am-11pm Sat 12pm-11pN r 4un 1pm-10pm PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Pancho’s is known as one of Atlanta’s best Mexican restaurants. They have long history of serving great Mexican dishes and “Monster” margaritas to satisfied customers. Pancho’s margaritas are made using the finest ingredients and top shelf tequilas. Some popular brand names offered include: Centanerio, Don Julio, Don Eduardo, 1800, Jose Cuervo, Patron, Herradura and Monte Alban. Their margaritas can be made frozen or on the rocks and served in four basic styles: Regular, Flavored, Gold and Texas. This month Pancho’s is running a special offering $3 Espolon shots on Mondays. Also in May, patrons receive $1 off every margarita ordered following their first.

Prefect for Cinco de Mayo!

Pancho’s does a brisk business for both lunch and dinner. Their lunch specials start at just $4.99 (Mon-Fri) and may be accompanied by $3.50 lunch cheese dips. For dinner Pancho’s offers a variety of combination platters for just $9.95. In spring their patio seating is in high demand. Pancho’s features Trivia on Thursday nights and a Mariachi band on Saturday nights. Make plans to come early on May 5th for Atlanta’s best Cinco de Mayo celebration.

With Buckhead’s largest patio, what better place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than Buckhead Saloon. They are doing it in style bringing in special Margarita machines to mix up to six blends of your favorite frozen margaritas. Enjoy Suaza, Sinless, Top Shelf, Hornito and more! This popular hangout offers live music Thursdays through Saturdays.

During the week enjoy their Half-Priced Happy Hour menu and $1 Tacos on Tuesdays and $5 Burgers with Fries on Wednesdays.

Trivia is held Wednesday nights. New this spring is Buckhead Saloon's Tex Mex style brunch served on the weekends. Enjoy the southwestern fare along with Mimosas and their Bloody Mary Bar. Buckhead Saloon's patio is dog friendly so bring your pooch. Get here early on May 5th to secure a table on the patio and ensure a great time.

Taste of the Month-Tapas Imperial Fez Authentic Moroccan Restaurant 2285 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta 30309 (404) 351-0870 imperialfez.com Imperial Fez is inspired by Chef Rafih Benjelloun's Family Tradition.

The Imperial Fez has been offering Atlantans authentic Moroccan cuisine in an exotic dining environment since June 1991.

Guests dine on comfortable pillows and enjoy savory food.

Shoes are left at the door and guests are magically transported to Morocco. In addition to their traditional five-course meal the restaurant offers an array of tapas sure to please.

Imperial Fez offers an ala carte menu to give you more flexibility in ordering than previously available. The tapas section of the menu includes traditional fare such as stuffed grape leaves, baba ghannouj, and hummus. B'Stella is Chef Rafih's signature item featuring puff pastry stuffed with Cornish hen, seafood or vegetable baked to order and finished with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Imperial Fez has been recognized by media and food critics around the world and has become a favorite for Atlantans. Imperial Fez has received many awards including being named Atlanta's "Best Romantic Restaurant" and "Best Decor" by Atlanta Magazine.

Ceviche De Camarones, lamb meatballs; garlic and lemon aioli.

The happening bar is open till 2:30am on weekends with a wide selection of exotic cocktails, top shelf liquor and many wines to complement a good meal or a night of dancing.

Make sure to try their world famous Mojito while you're here, it has been voted best in Atlanta. Loca Luna has also been voted best late night venue, patio, appetizers and girls night out, among others, by both local and national publications. They feature live Latin music every night on their large dance floor and the hottest DJ's spin late night on Fridays and Saturdays. There is plenty of free parking and free valet available.

Mezza...A Lebanese Bistro and Dar offers one of the most characteristic elements of Lebanese cuisine. Much like tapas, Mezza is an array of small hot and cold appetizers. At Mezza you will find the most authentic homemade Lebanese tapas, great wines and enjoy belly dancing and hookahs in their newly expanded Dar (lounge) on weekends.

Located just a few miles from Emory campus, Mezza has become a neighborhood favorite.

The restaurant offers the largest Lebanese tapas menu in the city. The menu has a large variety of vegetarian dishes, some of which are vegan, in addition to a large variety of meat, chicken and seafood offerings. There are 20 vegetarian mezza including the standard favorites: hummus, falafel, baba ghannouge, and fried eggplant. Non-vegetarian dishes range from cilantro fish, beef stuffed grape leaves, kebobs and lemon shrimp.

Over the years Mezza has garnered great reviews and awards. In recent years Mezza has been awarded Best Mediterranean / Middle Eastern Restaurant in various publications.

Mezza also ranks as the top Lebanese Restaurant in Zagat's Survey and Atlanta Magazine Top 100.

Loca Luna

550 Amsterdam Ave. 404.875.4494 loca-luna.com Samba. Salsa. Merengue. They have it all at Loca Luna, where you'll find live Latin music nightly and great food. Sample savory dishes from Spain, South America and the Caribbean.

Their wide range of tapas are priced mainly between $5 - $7. Here you will find delicious selections like: Spanish Style Ribs, Mini Cuban Sliders, Pao de Queijo, Brazilian Cheese Rolls, Emapanda de Carne, carne asada steak skewers,

8FEOFTEBZ JO .BZ t #IPKBOJD #BOE t 1.

Open Mother’s day and Father’s day www.Bhojanic.com

Mediterranean Grill

N. Decatur Plaza (404) 320.0101 Midtown (404) 917.1100 East Cobb / Marietta (678) 996.1100 mediterraneangrill.com

Introducing Our NEW Ala Carte Menu!

Mezza

2751 Lavista Rd. Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 633.8833 mezzabistro.com

$3 Tuesdays!

5"1"4 t %3*/,4 t %&44&354

Chef Rafih Benjelloun

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 $7.50.

Bhojanic

1363 Clairmont Rd. Decatur 404.633.9233 bhojanic.com

2285 Peachtree Road ~ Atlanta ~ 30309 404.351.0870 www.imperialfez.com Open 7 Days a Week 6 pm to 11 pm

Have a Date with the “Hottest Stuff� in Town!

3007 North Druid Hills RD (Toco Hill Shopping Center)

t XXX UPQTQJDFBUMBOUB DPN 4VO o 5IVS BN o QN t 'SJ 4BU BN o QN

Bhojanic is a family owned traditional home style Indian restaurant that recently celebrated their eighth anniversary for the restaurant and twenty years catering. The menu is predominantly North Indian with some fusion additions. Find innovative cocktails, craft beer and a thoughtful wine selection. Bhojanic offers wonderful tapas. Try the Samosa which is potato and peas with mint leaves and spices stuffed into a triangular pastry. The Roti Canai Chicken Tikka Masala is served with Malaysian layered paratha or flat bread. Seafood lovers should try their Bhojanic Shrimp. Five jumbo shrimp are sautĂŠed with garlic, curry leaves, mustard seeds, in a tangy tomato and onion masala. This neighborhood favorite has expanded recently and been remodeled.

Bhojanic offers full service catering for weddings and corporate events as well as DIY catering for smaller gatherings. Bhojanic offers live music every Wednesday night at 9 p.m.

EIGHT FESTIVE WEEKENDS!

NOW THru JuNE 5 PURCHASE DISCOUNT TICKETS

ONLINE TODAY!

WWW.GArENFEST.cOm

Saturdays and Sundays including memorial Day

) # (

" % "! % ' % $ &$!

PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Taste of the Month-Tapas Imperial Fez Authentic Moroccan Restaurant 2285 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta 30309 (404) 351-0870 imperialfez.com Imperial Fez is inspired by Chef Rafih Benjelloun's Family Tradition.

The Imperial Fez has been offering Atlantans authentic Moroccan cuisine in an exotic dining environment since June 1991.

Guests dine on comfortable pillows and enjoy savory food.

Shoes are left at the door and guests are magically transported to Morocco. In addition to their traditional five-course meal the restaurant offers an array of tapas sure to please.

Imperial Fez offers an ala carte menu to give you more flexibility in ordering than previously available. The tapas section of the menu includes traditional fare such as stuffed grape leaves, baba ghannouj, and hummus. B'Stella is Chef Rafih's signature item featuring puff pastry stuffed with Cornish hen, seafood or vegetable baked to order and finished with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Imperial Fez has been recognized by media and food critics around the world and has become a favorite for Atlantans. Imperial Fez has received many awards including being named Atlanta's "Best Romantic Restaurant" and "Best Decor" by Atlanta Magazine.

Ceviche De Camarones, lamb meatballs; garlic and lemon aioli.

The happening bar is open till 2:30am on weekends with a wide selection of exotic cocktails, top shelf liquor and many wines to complement a good meal or a night of dancing.

Make sure to try their world famous Mojito while you're here, it has been voted best in Atlanta. Loca Luna has also been voted best late night venue, patio, appetizers and girls night out, among others, by both local and national publications. They feature live Latin music every night on their large dance floor and the hottest DJ's spin late night on Fridays and Saturdays. There is plenty of free parking and free valet available.

Mezza...A Lebanese Bistro and Dar offers one of the most characteristic elements of Lebanese cuisine. Much like tapas, Mezza is an array of small hot and cold appetizers. At Mezza you will find the most authentic homemade Lebanese tapas, great wines and enjoy belly dancing and hookahs in their newly expanded Dar (lounge) on weekends.

Located just a few miles from Emory campus, Mezza has become a neighborhood favorite.

The restaurant offers the largest Lebanese tapas menu in the city. The menu has a large variety of vegetarian dishes, some of which are vegan, in addition to a large variety of meat, chicken and seafood offerings. There are 20 vegetarian mezza including the standard favorites: hummus, falafel, baba ghannouge, and fried eggplant. Non-vegetarian dishes range from cilantro fish, beef stuffed grape leaves, kebobs and lemon shrimp.

Over the years Mezza has garnered great reviews and awards. In recent years Mezza has been awarded Best Mediterranean / Middle Eastern Restaurant in various publications.

Mezza also ranks as the top Lebanese Restaurant in Zagat's Survey and Atlanta Magazine Top 100.

Loca Luna

550 Amsterdam Ave. 404.875.4494 loca-luna.com Samba. Salsa. Merengue. They have it all at Loca Luna, where you'll find live Latin music nightly and great food. Sample savory dishes from Spain, South America and the Caribbean.

Their wide range of tapas are priced mainly between $5 - $7. Here you will find delicious selections like: Spanish Style Ribs, Mini Cuban Sliders, Pao de Queijo, Brazilian Cheese Rolls, Emapanda de Carne, carne asada steak skewers,

8FEOFTEBZ JO .BZ t #IPKBOJD #BOE t 1.

Open Mother’s day and Father’s day www.Bhojanic.com

Mediterranean Grill

N. Decatur Plaza (404) 320.0101 Midtown (404) 917.1100 East Cobb / Marietta (678) 996.1100 mediterraneangrill.com

Introducing Our NEW Ala Carte Menu!

Mezza

2751 Lavista Rd. Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 633.8833 mezzabistro.com

$3 Tuesdays!

5"1"4 t %3*/,4 t %&44&354

Chef Rafih Benjelloun

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 $7.50.

Bhojanic

1363 Clairmont Rd. Decatur 404.633.9233 bhojanic.com

2285 Peachtree Road ~ Atlanta ~ 30309 404.351.0870 www.imperialfez.com Open 7 Days a Week 6 pm to 11 pm

Have a Date with the “Hottest Stuff� in Town!

3007 North Druid Hills RD (Toco Hill Shopping Center)

t XXX UPQTQJDFBUMBOUB DPN 4VO o 5IVS BN o QN t 'SJ 4BU BN o QN

Bhojanic is a family owned traditional home style Indian restaurant that recently celebrated their eighth anniversary for the restaurant and twenty years catering. The menu is predominantly North Indian with some fusion additions. Find innovative cocktails, craft beer and a thoughtful wine selection. Bhojanic offers wonderful tapas. Try the Samosa which is potato and peas with mint leaves and spices stuffed into a triangular pastry. The Roti Canai Chicken Tikka Masala is served with Malaysian layered paratha or flat bread. Seafood lovers should try their Bhojanic Shrimp. Five jumbo shrimp are sautĂŠed with garlic, curry leaves, mustard seeds, in a tangy tomato and onion masala. This neighborhood favorite has expanded recently and been remodeled.

Bhojanic offers full service catering for weddings and corporate events as well as DIY catering for smaller gatherings. Bhojanic offers live music every Wednesday night at 9 p.m.

EIGHT FESTIVE WEEKENDS!

NOW THru JuNE 5 PURCHASE DISCOUNT TICKETS

ONLINE TODAY!

WWW.GArENFEST.cOm

Saturdays and Sundays including memorial Day

) # (

" % "! % ' % $ &$!

PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

FILM

FEAR LESS

The Maturing Of Natalie Portman

By Bret Love

t

here has always been a subtle air of fragility about natalie Portman, despite her reputation for being fearless in her performances.

From her feature film debut in the Professional at the tender age of 13 to the star wars sequels and V For Vendetta, Portman has frequently portrayed characters in need of protection. with the exception of a soul-baring turn in Closer and a body-baring role in the little-seen Goya’s Ghosts, much of her film career has been characterized by relatively safe choices in which she played either a precocious child or a child-like adult. even now, her petite physique gives her a girlish appearance that belies her 29 years. in past interviews, she has often come across as emotionally guarded, like she’s afraid of revealing truths that might allow a glimpse of the real woman behind the beautiful enigma. Plenty of modern celebs have learned the value of a little old-fashioned movie star mystique, but Portman has elevated intellectual evasiveness to an art form. Other than the basic facts you could learn from her iMDb bio– born in israel, discovered at age 11, longtime vegetarian, harvard graduate, outspoken supporter of various sociopolitical causes– what do we really know about natalie Portman as a human being? honestly, not much. but all of that is changing, in large part thanks to her challenging, emotionally dynamic role in black swan, the Oscar-nominated film from celebrated indie auteur Darren aronofsky (the wrestler). the dark psychological thriller shined the spotlight on Portman as repressed ballerina nina, whose obsessively controlled world is tilted on its axis when a talented, ambitious, and beautiful young dancer (Mila Kunis) is brought in as her understudy. her career-defining performance marked a step forward for the actress on a personal level, marking a decision to be bolder and less self-censoring in her creative choices. “i think that as my life has become more interesting, i’m able to bring different edges to my work,” she muses. “i still tend to be afraid of everything– it’s just my nature– but the difference these days is that i’m much more able to face up to my fears and self-doubts. i’m learning to just go for it more and worry less. i force myself to be brave!” she admits with a self-deprecating laugh. the actress acknowledges that this transformation has been a long time coming, reflecting back on a childhood in which the bright spotlight of fame reinforced her natural tendency to be “introspective, driven and disciplined,” and made her all too conscious of her public perception. she admits that she has been overly self-critical in the past, and that a lack of self-confidence has occasionally crippled her creative choices. “you learn to control the impression you create to other people,” she reasons, “and this creates a situation where you become that person you’ve tried to create rather than letting yourself simply be who you are. you’re constantly putting yourself up there to be judged and trashed. i’ve tried to stop thinking about that, and so now i’m much more ready to try different things and be as daring as i possibly can. i’m much more open to different kinds of projects because i’m less cautious.” that willingness to take bold creative risks was an absolute must for her role in black swan, which involved portraying a character’s emotional descent into madness, a graphic love scene with Kunis, and some of the most physically grueling prep-work of Portman’s career. aronofsky originally approached the actress about the film back in 2002, when she was on hiatus from hollywood to get her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from harvard. today, she reveals that the very idea of exploring such dark psychological territory made her anxious and afraid at the time, but eventually attracted her interest by pushing her far beyond her personal boundaries. “it was interesting to have that gestation period to just sit on an idea,” she says. “he really had the whole story already [mapped out] back then, so i was able to let that seep in.

Physically, i started training a year ahead of time. then, six months prior to the film, i went into hyper-training, where i was doing five hours a day of ballet (working with the new york City ballet’s Mary helen bowers and Georgina Pazcoguin) and cross training with swimming. a few PG 10 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

you Learn to controL the IMpressIon you create to other peopLe,” she reasons, “and thIs creates a sItuatIon where you BecoMe that person you’ve trIed to create rather than LettIng yourseLF sIMpLy Be who you are.

months before filming, we started getting into the choreography. the mindset during the film was extreme discipline, focus and obsession, which was fantastic!”

Perhaps not surprisingly, Portman points to her Oscarnominated turn as alice in Closer as a previous role that similarly challenged her to stand up to her fears and step up her performance, ultimately giving her confidence in both her abilities as an actress and as a human being. “alice was a woman whose vulnerability and coldness scared me,” she admits. “she was very complex and damaged, and there was this intense sadness and fear that came over me when i was living with the role. but that was the reason i took it: i felt like i had been protecting myself psychologically from going into those dark kinds of spaces, and i wanted to prove to myself that i could play that kind of character.” but where Closer was a supporting role opposite a-list actors Julia roberts, Clive Owen and Jude law, the bulk of black swan’s dramatic heft rested squarely on Portman’s shoulders, requiring a fierce, gut-wrenching performance unlike anything previously on her resume. the actress delivered with powerful aplomb, wringing a litany of raw emotions from within, but she’s quick to credit aronofsky with his guidance in delivering her best work to date. “it was a great opportunity to have these really complicated characters and also to give us the freedom to bring what we wanted to the roles,” she gushes earnestly. “My experience with Darren also felt almost telepathic, and i’ve never had that with any director before. Darren could say half a word and i felt like i could understand him, and i could say half a word and he could understand me. we were in some strange zone of focus.” the results of that focus led to an overwhelmingly positive rating for black swan on rottentomatoes.com, with noteworthy critics such as the Philadelphia enquirer’s steven rea calling it “the role of [Portman’s] career” and time magazine’s richard Corliss praising her work as “wonderfully committed… just the sort of daredevil achievement the academy loves to reward.” but rather than revel in her own glory, Portman preferred to focus on the film’s somewhat divisive audience reactions. “the best thing with this movie is that everyone seems to

be having a strong visceral response,” she insists. “i think Darren’s filmmaking is both thought-provoking and emotional, and pure entertainment. so while it’s very flattering that people are talking about [Oscars], obviously what we do is about wanting to make things that people connect to. that’s the biggest prize.” that may be true, but the renewed vitality of Portman’s career is nothing to shake a stick at either. the actress, who hasn’t appeared in a film that grossed over $50 million in five years, suddenly finds herself inundated with projects. this year she’s appeared opposite ashton Kutcher in no strings attached, with James Franco and Zooey Deschanel in your highness, and now as the female lead in thor, her first big-budget blockbuster since the star wars saga ended.

“My character is working on this theory of connecting dimensions,” she says of her role as Jane Foster in the Marvel Comics epic, which garnered big buzz at last year’s san Diego ComicCon. “there was an einstein theory where you could connect dimensions through the warping of time and space. thor comes from another dimension, so he’s this missing piece to her scientific inquiry. everyone thinks she’s on the fringe of science and that she’s this kook, so this is her opportunity to prove herself.” the same could be said of natalie Portman. after more than 25 films, black swan finally gave the actress a chance to deliver on the promise she showed early on in the Professional. as she nears her 30th birthday, Portman finally seems to be coming to terms with who she truly is, both as a performer and as a person. truth is, having interviewed her numerous times over the years, she has never seemed more content. “i’m happy about getting older,” she agrees with a smile. “i’m glad i can play more adult roles, because i feel i’ve finally become more of a woman and less confused in general about life. i think i’m much more in control of my life and where i want to go. i still veer between confidence and insecurity all the time, and i’m still learning to be more myself and have fewer masks. but in general i’ve become much less worried about what people think, and so i think i’m more fun to be with now. at least i hope so!”

Comedy

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What was the hardest part about decidMartin. growing up in San Francisco, there was a ing to do standup comedy? lot of live comedy happening, so i got to see amazthe hardest part was getting stage time, because i was really ing people like paula poundstone all the time. it was young and not supposed to be in clubs anyway! i don’t know a great education in comedy. how i got away with it. i was doing open mikes at 14 and How did you come to find your comedic style? Was there actually getting paid gigs by 16. it was thrilling and amazing a particular moment of realizing, “yes, this is how I want but i remember having to lie all the time about my age and at some point i lost track of how old i actually was. to do my comedy”? i don’t know. This is very elusive to me still. i haven’t figured out why or how it happens, but it just does. This is What do you think about the Atlanta comedy scene, what keeps me interested and coming back to the art form specifically The Laughing Skull and Relapse Theatre? i love it! atlanta comics are really amazing– it reminds - i still don’t fully understand it. me of when i was coming up in San Francisco. There’s a lot of genius and creativity happening here and i love to What is your joke creation process/writing style like? watch everyone really go for it. The Skull and relapse are i usually will take an idea and try to write it out or talk it great venues for comics!! out onstage. This is usually the most successful method.

There’s something that i am trying to wring out and it What advice would you give up and coming comics? almost always takes an audience and a mike. it’s not going Just keep doing it, no matter what! Bombing is not to happen when i am sitting down and writing. a big deal.

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FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD AFRICAN CATS (G)

««««« Disneynature’s latest film, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and filmed in Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara, tells the story of two very different big cat families and comes across like a live-action Lion King. On one side of the river, an aging lioness and her cub are part of a pride protected by a weary warrior called Fang, who struggles to fight off an invasion by a family of five male lions.

On the other side, a lone cheetah mother must single-handedly feed and protect her five cubs from the harsh realities of the By B. Love African wilderness, including attacks from hyenas sand theofaforementioned lions. It’s a one AmericA’s most story ofsuccessful survival that shy away from and doesn’t high profile businessthe harsh the animal men,realities Donaldoftrump was wellkingdom, known frombefore gruesome hunts and fierce long survivor producer mark battles Burnettto devastating Small children But will be tapped him to deaths. star in the Apprentice. frightened, and the teenage girls show sitting near there’s no denying that the reality me cried numerous times. But for those turned trump from a cartoonish curiosity mature enough to understand and appreciate into a bona fide phenomenon, with his signawhat these gorgeous creatures mustinextricaendure to ture catchphrase– “You’re fired!”– ensure the the continuation their bloodlines, bly entering pop cultureoflexicon. the stunning cinematography, gripping Although the Apprentice initially flounaction and genuine drama provides more dered a bit in the ratings, Burnett and trump emotional impact than formula a dozen by Hollywood stumbled upon a winning recruitfilms.

If there’s a flaw to beactors, found,athletes, it’s that the ing secondand third-tier narration the animals models and anthropomorphizes musicians for a celebrity edition in an attempt to make them more relatable of the show. now in its third incarnation, as characters, I was more concerned the celebritybut Apprentice tosses disparate with trying to as figure outBret howmichaels, the filmmakers stars such rocker wrestlergot such amazing close-up of these big cats Goldberg, baseball legendshots Darryl strawberry, hunting, playing, fighting, loving and living former governor ron Blagojevich and sharon in one oftogether Earth’s most beautiful landscapes. osbourne for a variety of teamIf visiting Kenya and during the Great Migration building exercises challenges designed to wasn’t on yourmettle. travel bucket list before, test their#1business you’ll yourself dying to make reservations “the find Donald, ” as the crazy-coiffed real after magnate watchingifAfrican Cats. recently held estate often known, court with reporters to discuss the show’s –Bret Love current season.

who takes over control of her family’s railroad company from her brother after seeing it being driven into the ground. His main concern is maintaining the status quo with the company’s place in industry while trying to be fair to all people, while her concern is to bring the company back to profitability.

Society continues to impose greater burdens on innovators in the name of fairness, but business leaders begin to disappear and their companies fail in their absence. The film is controversial. The title refers to the idea that those who bear the burden of taking care of others just… stop. Rand’s tome is split into a film with threeabout parts,them and for thesofirst sets the through reading many tone well.

The parallels with the financial years, but a lot of times somebody that you breakdowns in highly Greece, France even don’t think of so turns out to and be a star.

California areknow clear what to those both with sides of You just don’t will on happen the political As aoffilm, it is well directed pressure and aisle. the heat battle. and acted, though the abbreviated format and dialogue-driven style have seemsto blunt, too dry What does a celebrity do to really andthemselves slow to appeal any show but those want set aparttoand that who they’re to see how the book is adapted for the big in it to win it? screen. i can tell you from seasons 1 and 2 and –Justin really Patterson from the regular Apprentice, people want to win. every once in a while you’ll have a quitter, but it doesn’t happen often. i think the reason they do it is the level of THE BEAVER intensity they feel for(PG-13) their charity. Unlike ««««« the regular Apprentice, where somebody works me for a pretty salaryLeave for a it.

Two for words about The good Beaver: year, with this the money Compared to one the train wreckgoes that to is charCharlie ity.

Last year raisedismillions of dollars.

Sheen, Mel we Gibson the sinking of the everybody hasa alesbian charity(Jodie that they love; Titanic. For Foster) to some direct are foundations they’ve set and up themselves a movie called The Beaver put him in the years of the show. so ieverywhere. think they lead isin aadvance gift to stand-up comics really fight it’s a charFor the restmore of us,intense not so because much. Foster makes ity they’re fighting for.on from which the film a fatal mistake early never recovers: She lets Gibson play Walter What your favorite watch Black’saresuicide attemptchallenges for laughs.toThe rest the celebrities of the movie istackle? a serious study of his battle Well,depression, we do havebut a lotweof can different with neverchallengbe sure, es, whetherwhen we gopart backoftoWalter’s the selling of the especially personality lemonade or doing something else very splits off into a beaver hand puppet he basic never without withenough Proctor & Gamtakes off.having We’vetoalldeal heard “Talk to the ble or Kodak, etc.his sometimes [sponsor-based hand” jokes that “Talk to the hand puppet” challenges] arehard sort of but they’re command is to interesting, take seriously.

Foster expensive for uswife, to do.Anton the ratings plays Walter’s Yelchinsuggest their son that fans’ favoritehis part of He the writes show by whothe fears becoming dad. papers far boardroom, and the boardroom forishisthe classmates to make money so he can get has overbut thethis years because the gotten hell outlonger of there, career givesofhim that. challenges have plenty (Jennifer of time an inthe with the classstill valedictorian and we’re focused on both aspects, butleague. we Lawrence), who seems to be out of his have been trying ofto lengthen boardroom A description Walter’s the depressed state because viewer could beofa strong metaphor for requests.

Gibson’s career: “It’s as if he died, but hasn’t got the good sense to You’re like a prosecuting take his body with him.” attorney in the boardroom. Do you meter your approach to different personalities?

–Steve Warren Yes, i think you deal with different people differently. i deal with Goldberg differently than i deal with Governor Blagojevich. i dealt with Dennis rodman and Joan rivers THE CONSPIRATOR (PG-13) differently than some of the other contes««««« tants.

You have to have that ability.

I admire Robert Redford’s politics and his filmmaking skills, when heboardcombines How do you feel goingbutback in the them after it doesn’t room a little always hiatus?work. You’ve been drinking muchkick tea ifout youofmiss message i just gettoo a great it. i the really like film, want that to Americans are another too willing itofa this lot. they renew it for to give up their– andand their neighbors’ two or three seasons, we’re thinking– civil liberties in ithe of a anational about that. likewake having little bitcatastrophe, of a break be it a shows, terrorist attack or ona once presidential between where it goes a year. assassination. The latter’s the case in “The Conspirator,” docudramatizes events Do you ever feelwhich bad about firing someone, shot.job?Initially against his orafter is itLincoln just partwas of the will, Union herono, Frederick Aiken (James i always feelwar bad… not always. someMcAvoy) is assigned to defend Mary times i don’t like people. the hard onesSurratt are (Robin whose boarding house had when youWright), really like and respect somebody beenthey a meeting for Like, John Wilkes Booth’s and make a place mistake. as an ex-

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

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

ARTHUR (PG-13) it’s very interesting, because so many ««««« celebrities want to be on the show after the success the previous We until I neverof knew Arthur two wasseasons. so revered wanted some athletes, some actors, some someone deigned to remake it. From the models andyou somewould wrestlers, would say reaction haveso ithought they’d probably or seven people per spotBrand we isn’t colorizedsixCitizen Kane.

No, Russell were turning down. Dudley the hardest thing that as cute as cuddly Moore, butismaybe wethat’s reallya have some good people that want good thing. Brand’s Arthur Bach is toless go on very badly.

Butthan i guess maybe we’ll of a lovable drunk lovable in spite save them for the next show, because looks being a drunk.

A manchild (think itPee-wee like that’s going happen.he’s still cared for by Herman) in histothirties, a nanny (marvelous Helen Mirren in a tweak How is this going to beArthur’s differentmother than of the Johnseason Gielgud role). past seasons?James), who controls the family (Geraldine Well, when you have a success we’ve fortune, arranges what’s more a like merger than a had, you don’t like to do too many changes. marriage between Arthur and Susan (Jennifer What we do have is a different tone.offthe casthe Garner), then threatens to cut him when has verywith interesting: they’ve been very fallsbeen in love poor Naomi (Greta Gerwig), tough and very but”there’s also atolot of “a nobody fromnasty, Queens, and wants marry fun and humor with respect to what happens, her instead. The first hour is almost nonstop which i don’t thinkless weso, hadbutin not the without last one.great hilarity, the rest With Joan [rivers]Itand withnecessary Piers [morgan], comic moments. wasn’t to remake itArthur, was really peopleJason reallyWiner hating(Modern each butnasty director other. these people hate each other, but Family, the funniest show on TV) hasn’tit’s done also funny. a bad job. i think that might be the biggest differentiation in terms of the three casts.

Warren Can you usually tell right off the –Steve bat who is going to do well and who isn’t? that’s always the most interesting quesATLAS SHRUGGED (PG-13) tion to me because i’d like to think of myself ««««« as being okay with people. But often i’ll say, Ayn one Rand’s classic hasthen been “this is going to be anovel star,” and he a contentious topic since it was first published. turns out to be a dud. You never really know.

Thefeel story that ofknown Dagnythese Taggart, a woman You likeisyou’ve celebrities

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STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 6 check locAl lISTIngS FoR TheATeRS AnD ShowTIMeS alleged co-conspirators, including her own Does it fudge a lot of small details? Sure. But son. The military kangaroo court is eager if you’re willing to ignore the logical part of to execute Surratt and get to it over your brain and justBut immerse It turned out Be with, a good phrase, It yourself was ain an especially since her son is the one suspect to action film this month, you could do a lot FLuke. theto very have eluded them.durIng Aiken begins believe FIrst worse. show I was a LIttLe wIth oneheroFin the contestants and I used inexasperated her innocence and tries to defend earnest, but LIne, the prevailing mood calls for the “you’re FIred!” when [producer]–Justin Mark Patterson vengeance, not justice.

Wright is very good Burnett and I agreed to do the show we dIdn’t have and Georgia’s east coast supplies appropriate thought we’d say, “get the heLL out settings,that. but in thewe end the smell of Redford’s oF here” or THE soMethIng. indignation is just too overpowering.

FIRST GRADER (PG-13)

ample, scott Hamilton, from the last season. i had to let scott go. i’m a great fan of scott: He won olympic gold medals and–Steve he’s aWarren great champion. But he understood that he made a mistake on the show and i really had no choice. i felt very badly about that, because FIVE iFAST considered him(PG-13) to be a great person, but i ««««« have to do what’s right. it’s never fun, but it’s easier when iFast don’t&like somebody when Yet another Furious sequel,or bringing they’re really, really bad. together original cast members while trying to make this installment bigger and bolder.

That “You’re ” became pophiding culDom line, Toretto (Vin fired, Diesel) and Co.aare ture phenomenon.

Can you talk about the from the law in Rio, while federal agents origin it? (led byof Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) are it turned out be athe good phrase,tobutjustice. it determined to to bring fugitives was a fluke.

During series the very showthei was Through a strange of first events, film abecomes little exasperated withrather one ofthan the cona heist movie one about testants and i used line, “You’re street racing.

Our the intrepid heroes fired!” wind up When [producer] mark plan Burnett and imillions agreed pursuing a convoluted to steal to do the showlord we didn’t have that.

Weforever from a crime and retire, hidden thought out of here” or from thewe’d law.say, The“Get filmtheis hell a Cameron-esque something.

And all of a sudden went celebration of shiny things, America loud noises, crazy the show. it absurd happenscombination to be a greatof fights over and cars.

It is an catchphrase. tV Guide one of the major predictable plot turns, orimplausible physics, entertainment magazines did and, after underwhelming plot and lotsaofpoll excitement.

“Here’s oneFans otherofgreat, it was Still, theJohnny!” movie isand FUN. the franchise #3 100 phrasesthey in television hisgeton to the see top the characters know engaging tory! that was a pretty daring big honor. it’sThose been in all so manner of exciting, feats. an amazing thing and an amazing phrase that unfamiliar with the films will see a fast-paced, just seems to work. it really caught on, and action-filled roller coaster joyride. There it’s an amazing thingbetween to watch. is abeen rather brutal fight Diesel and Johnson, great action sequences (including What do you is your shootouts in think the slums of biggest Rio) andaccoma truly plishment, your business success theend. astounding chase scene towards orthe

««««« fact that you raised such self-sufficient children?Justin Chadwick’s follow-up to The Director Well,Boleyn i’m getting of credit thestory chilOther Girl isa lot based on theontrue dren. been asking aboutwho ivanka of an everybody’s 84-year-old Kenyan villager tries andgothe is yes, be back on theof to to answer school for the she’ll first time in hopes show.

But they’re very good kids. they went getting the education he could never afford to very good schools, and they were great as a child. Kimani Maruge (Oliver Litondo) i couldn’t waitfreedom to get them on the isstudents. a former Mau Mau fighter that show. i had no idea the show would be into lost his wife and child in Kenya’s bloody itsninth tenth season,against which the is pretty battle forand independence British, amazing in the world of television. plagued by horrific memories and struggling to become literate so he can read a letter There’s been lots of newsWhen surrounding NBC of unknown content. the Kenyan lately, and your show does well for them. government announces “free education What think NBC needs do to for all,”you Maruge doesn’t seetohis agegetasback an in the ratings game? Jane Obinchu (Naomie obstacle, and teacher Well, iultimately know Jeff agrees Gaspin to (chairman of into nBc Harris) allow him Universal television entertainment) and, as her first grade class. The kids seem amused you know, he’s new to the role. i think he’s

by Maruge’s mission, but her supervisors, the going to do a spectacular jobvillagers at nBc.become they children’s parents and other need more shows like the Apprentice. not embroiled in a controversy that ultimately necessarily from a reality standpoint, but attracts international attention. It’s the they of need shows that capturestory the imaginasort uplifting, feel-good you might tion.believe if it weren’t true, and Chadwick not frankly, certain showseliciting that are on should films it wonderfully, naturalistic be changed because, while they get some performances and capturing amazing pretty good reviews, don’t get people scenery.

If this were athey documentary, I could watching. it’s nice to get both.

We’ve had easily imagine it getting nominated for an emmy nominations and a lot of good acOscar. colades passed our way, and that’s always nice. But ultimately you have to have people –Bret Love watch. nBc is going to really do well. i know their leadership and i think they’re winners, so i think they’ll turn it around.

PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

HANNA (PG-13)

««««« That the same person could have made both “Atonement” and “Hanna” makes Joe Wright my new favorite director. The premise of this thriller is flawed and Cate Blanchett’s villain has an otherworldly accent that sounds like she’s imitating Faye Dunaway, but the cinematography, direction and editing are first-rate and the Chemical Brothers’ score propels the film over any narrative humps.

Saoirse Ronan plays Hanna, the genetically enhanced teenager who was raised near the Arctic Circle by Erik (Eric Bana) and trained to be a killing machine. She may speak several languages and know the contents of Wikipedia by heart but she’s never had any social interaction. Still she transitions easily from snow and ice to concrete and steel when she ventures into the outside world, where she and her father are targeted by Erik’s former CIA colleague, Marissa (Blanchett).

Later revelations could make you wonder if you’re rooting for the right side, but Hanna’s just defending herself and it’s not hard to make the CIA look bad. The Wright touch in the numerous action sequences keeps you from dwelling on moral questions while the “Fasten Seat Belts” light is on, which it is from first frame to last.

–Steve Warren

MIRAL (R)

««««« This film illustrates the difficulty of making a movie about a living person. It’s compounded by having the subject (Rula Jebreal) write the screenplay based on her semi-autobiographical book and further by having her in a relationship with the director (Julian Schnabel) so he doesn’t dare change her vision of herself. For having all that working against it, Miral isn’t as bad as it might have been, perhaps because Jebreal’s principal concern is a tribute to her mentor, Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass). A title HIND fills the screen in the opening sequence, in 1948, when she turns her father’s home into a boarding school for Palestinian war orphans.

The title character, representing Jebreal, gets a MIRAL title after she’s born in 1973, but two far lesser characters receive the same treatment, creating false expectations of their importance. Miral is sent to Hind’s school at the age of five. When she’s 14 (now played

by Freida Pinto of Slumdog Millionaire) Hind sends her to a refugee camp as a teacher.

Miral wants to be an activist but Hind warns her that will halt the Israelis’ tolerance of the school. The personal stories weave through half a century of history in a fragmented fashion that’s hard to follow, as if there will eventually be a director’s cut of miniseries length. For what it’s worth, Miral may be the best pro-Palestinian movie ever made and distributed by Jews.

–Steve Warren

THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD (PG-13)

««««« I have a healthy interest in documentary films, so I intended to scrutinize Morgan Spurlock’s latest with as much objectivity as possible. But this film had me thinking and laughing from beginning to end, and any film that manages to teach me something and humor me while doing it is a winner in my book. When Spurlock directed Super Size Me, I took note of his willingness to put himself in “harms way” to bring to light an issue that affects all of humanity. In The PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Spurlock stays true to his tactics by showing us how the film business, and indeed every industry, is driven by ad revenues, product placement, and marketing. From start to finish, he showed us how he signed on sponsors for his film with seemingly ridiculous bargaining deals between the production and corporations.

Pretty soon, I began to realize the major role product placement has played in my own life and what implications it has for my future.

After leaving the theater, all I could think about was my own personal brand and how my brand is being marketed to potential clients/buyers. Buyers?! Did he mean to tell me that I’m being objectified on a daily basis?

I’m pretty sure this was Spurlock’s intention, which begs the question: Is Morgan Spurlock a brand and no longer just a regular guy who makes films? If he is, I’ll buy into it!

–Kalena Smith

PROM (PG)

««««« An opening narration about the categories high school students fit into is your first clue that this film intends to be John Hughes: The Next Generation. Set during the three weeks before the senior prom at Brookside High, the main story concerns Nova (Aimee Teegarden, an actress of pleasantly human proportions, as opposed to Hollywood's usual stick figure role models), class president and prom organizer, who's been crushing on the wrong guy and ignoring the right one, "bad boy" Jesse Richter (Thomas McDonell). There are at least five subplots involving other couples, triangles, quadrangles - and one solo guy who can't catch a break. For a novelty the school's big sport is lacrosse, although we never see it played. An actor who's a ringer for the young Ralph Macchio is another '80s throwback, but if you don't go back that far think of Prom as a sanitized 10 Things I Hate about You. There's not an original bone in its body but it's capably done and the target audience may not have seen it before.

–Steve Warren

SCREAM 4 (R)

««««« Bloody, fun, and a bit ridiculous. While it’s not all that scary, Scream 4 is very entertaining.

The 4th installment of the popular horror serious opens wonderfully with misdirection after misdirection that sets the tone for the whole film. The town of Woodsboro is abuzz with the return of Sydney Prescot (Neve Campbell), who is back home to promote her best selling novel. We run into old favorites, Dewey (David Arquette) and Gale (Courtney Cox), who are now seemingly up-happily married. We meet a new crop of bold, yet defenseless teenage victims whose knowledge of horror movies barely compares to their ability to effortlessly get chopped up like sushi. And of course, what would the party be like without our favorite ghost faced killer there to terrorize them all? Sydney sets out to protect her teenage cousin from falling victim to the killer, Dewey fumbles around town being Dewey, and Gale attempts to rejuvenate her career by finding the killer herself. Meanwhile a bunch of teenagers get chopped up. The great lengths at which Craven goes to misdirect the audience into horror are admirable and occasionally unsuspecting. At times, they are ridiculous.

And maybe that is the point. Self-aware ridiculousness. The Scream films are already self aware in a sense, and horror movies have come a long way since the original. So what is more? A horror film that is not only self-aware of the specifics of it’s genre, but is also self-aware of the ridiculous limits it

can stretch itself within that genre. And Scream 4 does that. The times that it gets ridiculous, you love that is and wouldn’t have it any other way. As entertaining as Scream 4 is, it does raise a question. What is next for the horror genre? Scream 4 is bloody, and it may make you jump, but it does not instill horror. Craven does it as good as any, but misdirection in horror has come to be expected and causes more of a brief shock than it does fear. Perhaps a transition back to the type of horror that people actually think could happen to them? All in all Scream 4 does what a film is supposed to do. It’s entertains its audience.

–Bret Love

THERE BE DRAGONS (PG-13)

««««« If you wonder why a new film by Roland Joffé (The Killing Fields, The Mission) doesn’t have the backing of a major studio, you only have to see There Be Dragons for your question to be answered. It’s not because it deals with questions of faith and everyone in Hollywood is a heathen; it’s because the movie is a beautifully photographed, lifeless bore, and it doesn’t help that the main Spanish characters are played by an Englishman, an American and a Scot. Add Joffé to the list of filmmakers trying to work out their own daddy issues on screen. Manolo Torres (Wes Bentley) and Josemaría Escrivá (Charlie Cox) grow up together in Spain. They’re both sons of manufacturers but Manolo’s more distant father is more successful and targeted by unions at the time of the Spanish Civil War. Manolo joins the Fascist army as a spy and infiltrates the leftist forces. He falls in love with a Hungarian woman (Olga Kurylenko) but she’s drawn to their leader (Rodrigo Santoro). Meanwhile Josemaría has become a priest and founded Opus Dei,

VIDIOTS Upcoming DVD releases anD reViews

BY B. loVe, JoHn B. moore & maTT golDBerg no one Knows aBoUT persian caTs – Filmed on the sly across Iran, the director and cast of this indie documentary draw from their experiences on how to get fake permits/passports and how to hold concerts and rehearsals without getting arrested. The film (which won the Special Jury Prize at Cannes) centers on Ashkan and Negar, musicians just released from prison for playing music, who are trying to put together a band and leave for London. The two connect with a part-time hustler and music lover, who takes them across Tehran scouting for potential band members and helping them obtain forged paperwork to leave the country. Definitely worth a look.

HisTorY lesson parT 1: pUnK rocK in los angeles in 1984 – The Meat Puppets, the Minutemen, Redd Kross and Twisted Roots all played a defining role in the mid-80’s L.A. punk scene. Though documented rather crudely, History Lesson Part 1 is a great primer on the aforementioned bands, and offers a perfect snapshot of the scene in LA before it was chased shadows by the glam metal movement. The documentary includes interviews with Minutemen cofounder Mike Watt, brothers Chris and Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets), brothers Jeff and Steve MacDonald (Redd Kross), and Paul and Hellin Roessler (Twisted Roots). Sure, the songs could be a little more polished and the footage a little cleaner, but that just wouldn’t be punk rock, would it?

HarrY poTTer & THe DeaTHlY Hallows, parT 1 – Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) must find and destroy five “horcruxes”– which hold pieces of the soul of

the controversial lay priesthood demonized in The Da Vinci Code and elsewhere. He wrestles daily with God the Father. The story is told in flashbacks by a dying Manolo to his estranged son Robert (Dougray Scott), a journalist writing a book about Escrivá.

Since the theme of the movie is forgiveness I’ll forgive it...but I won’t recommend it.

–Steve Warren

YOUR HIGHNESS (R)

««««« Crudeness in the pursuit of comedy is no vice, but when the first two intended laughs in “Your Highness” come from witless uses of four-letter words it’s a clear indication that this movie is aimed at adolescent boys of low intelligence. If you think James Franco was bad hosting the Oscars, check him out as perfect Prince Fabious, whose younger brother Thadeous (Danny McBride) is the medieval equivalent of a slacker. They team up to rescue Fabious' fiancée Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) from evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), aided by Isabel (Natalie Portman), whose kick-ass behavior is most un-maidenly for the period. If you think Portman was dramatic in “Black Swan,” wait until you see her here. Apparently no one told her they were making a comedy and when she saw nothing funny in the script she jumped to the obvious conclusion. Having scored laughs with “Pineapple Express,” which was funny until it tried to be an action movie, director David Gordon Green lays on the weed jokes and proves the law of diminishing returns. “Your Highness” might have made me giggle when I was as old as 14, but then I was a socially retarded kid.

–Steve Warren Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes)– in order to defeat him and save the world. This task is made more difficult by the fact that the wizarding world is falling to Voldemort’s army of Death Eaters, who are hunting Harry and infiltrating the government. Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) join Harry in his dangerous mission, but their search puts the trio’s friendship to the test. Despite minor missteps, Part 1 is a triumph, eschewing the safety the series has brought so far in both story and tone.

inTo THe colD – This amazing documentary follows nature photographer/eco-advocate Sebastian Copeland as he and partner Keith Heger embark upon a 2-month, 400+ mile trip on foot to the North Pole. An official selection of the 2011 Environmental Film Festival, the film offers rare and breathtaking views of the unforgiving Arctic wasteland, where temperatures frequently drop below -50ºF, pressure ridges of ice crash together, and the ever-shifting “Arctic treadmill” sometimes causes them to lose a mile while they sleep. Along the way, Copeland consistently reinforces the notion that he’s taking this arduous journey to draw attention to the fact that the polar ice is disappearing at an alarming rate and, if global warming isn’t reversed soon, may disappear.

BoB DYlan reVealeD – With Bob Dylan turning 70 this month, now is an opportune time to check out this stellar doc spanning his 5-decade career. Featuring plenty of never-seen-before footage and pics, what really sets this doc apart is the interviews with those who were closest to Dylan in the early years.

Members of his backing band, folk musician/tourmate Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (the subject of Dylan’s song “Hurricane”) and even the pastor that turned Dylan onto Christianity are all interviewed on Revealed. It’s a great portrait for die-hard Dylan fans and newcomers alike.

FILM

BOMBSHELL BLUES

Will Megan Fox’s Big Mouth Cost Her A Promising Hollywood Career?

By Bret Love

t

he concept of the beautiful bombshell dates almost as far back as hollywood itself.

In the 1930s, sirens such as Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich sizzled on the silver screen, driving up post-war box office revenues in the wake of the Great Depression. A mere decade after the passage of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, these actresses found self-empowerment (and occasional controversy) through embracing their sexuality, thriving in a world typically dominated by men through unabashedly emphasizing the qualities that made them distinctly feminine.

Some would say that Megan fox is the 21st century’s first true bombshell. After all, she’s got the Betty page hair, the Betty Boop body, the Mae West mouth and that Marilyn Monroe tattoo boldly emblazoned on her forearm. She ranked #2 on Maxim magazine’s hot 100 List in 2009, and was voted Sexiest Woman in the World by fhM readers in 2008. And, lest we forget, her entire career was launched with an iconic scene in transformers, the image of her lithe body bent over the hood of a ’76 camaro becoming this generation’s version of farrah fawcett’s infamous bikini poster. to a certain sector of the Internet (i.e. comiccon-loving fanboys), fox is the perfect woman, like Angelina Jolie and Bar Rafaeli rolled into one.

Yet others would argue that the former model (who turns 24 this month) has yet to do anything to earn such adulation. fox herself acknowledges that being typecast as a sex symbol in a movie that made $800 million was “responsible for whatever level of success I’ve managed to acquire,” and that, “I haven’t given people any reason to think that I’m a good actress.” Jennifer’s Body– her first above-the-title outing after the two transformers films made her a household name– bombed, earning just $16 million at the box office. And last year her overexposure in the media led several prominent men’s websites to declare “A Day Without Megan fox,” insisting it was time to give another young actress a shot at the attention.

What makes Megan fox compelling (as an interview subject, if not as an actress) is her willingness to discuss both sides of this ongoing debate about her relative merits with alarming forthrightness, surprising self-awareness and a sense of humility that can either be interpreted as genuine self-doubt or sly media manipulation, depending on your viewpoint. But it’s also this tendency to run off at the mouth that has earned her the most criticism, whether for comparing transformers director Michael Bay to hitler or for frankly sexual talk about relationships, both real and blatantly fictional. her provocative quotes have certainly earned her plenty of attention, but they’ve also left her management team questioning the old adage that any publicity is good publicity. fox traces her in-your-face attitude back to her childhood, growing up the daughter of divorced parents in the small town of Kingston, tennessee. “I was sort of an outsider,” she admits. “I was raised pentecostal, and everyone where I came from is very judgmental: everything is

wrong and nothing is acceptable. So I always rebelled against that mindset and refused to conform to everyone else’s ideas of what is right or what should be. I feel like I have to do the same thing now in hollywood.” though this rebelliousness has undoubtedly caused problems in fox’s career (see: a letter from transformers crew members posted online last September defending Michael Bay and accusing the actress of being difficult to work with), she seems unlikely to change her approach anytime soon. “I don’t like small talk and I don’t like to have to be a cookie cutter,” she says. “that’s a quality I developed as a kid. You know how everybody goes into cliques and talks behind everyone’s back? I thought it was so ignorant. So I just started being completely honest with everybody all of the time. It gets me into trouble often, but I think it’s a good quality to have.” perhaps that’s true, but it’s also fair to question the merits of biting the hands that fed fox’s remarkable explosion in popularity. Recent interviews have found her becoming a bit more diplomatic with regards to Bay, and the director leapt to her defense last year, insisting that he did not condone the anonymous letter.

But the buxom beauty remains relatively circumspect when asked about the impact the hit franchise has had on her career. “transformers’ commercial success has opened a lot of doors for me,” she confesses. “for me to have that is a huge blessing, and I don’t want to complain about it. But at the same time it’s a scary line you have to walk. I’ve been pegged as a pinup and haven’t really been given a chance to be much more than that. My goal is to still be working in hollywood in 10 years, and if I don’t break out of that box I won’t be able to have the kind of career that I’m hoping for. there’s a lot of responsibility on me to get my [act] together.” that particular process continues to be a work-in-progress. fox shrugs off the failure of Jennifer’s Body, saying she was doubtful about the film’s ability to make money because it was “about a cannibalistic lesbian cheerleader, and that pretty much eliminates middle America.” But, nine years after her debut opposite the olsen twins in the straight-to-DVD movie holiday In the Sun, the fact remains that fox has yet to find a project that will establish her as more than merely a… well, fox.

It merits mention that, unlike peers such as Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton, fox’s sudden success has not led her down the path to self-destruction. She’s never been arrested, never been caught drunk in some trendy nightclub, never appeared naked onscreen, and never been in trouble for anything other than the crazy stuff that occasionally spews forth from her mouth. She may not have earned her bona fides as a thespian just yet, but the girl seems studied in the fine art of being a star.

“Getting photographed coming out of Rite Aid with your shampoo bottles is new to me,” she acknowledges, “but you acclimate to that pretty quickly. You have to make a choice to refuse to be involved with things that could get you in trouble. It’s easy when you feel upset

It’s not anyone eLse’s FauLt that I haven’t reaLLy perForMed weLL In a FILM yet,” she InsIsts. “It’s My FauLt. the truth Is that I’ve Been aBLe to Be a part oF soMe FILMs that I reaLLy dIdn’t FeeL LIke I deserved to Be a part oF, and gotten soMe opportunItIes that a Lot oF young actors don’t get. about something to want to go to a club and drink, but instead I force myself to deal with it, because I don’t want to go down that path. I would be throwing away my career.”

By all accounts, fox lives a relatively quiet off-screen life largely hidden from the public eye, and in person she seems surprisingly poised and ladylike. According to Karyn Kusama (who earned awards at cannes and Sundance before directing Jennifer’s Body), the actress is nothing less than a consummate professional, never devolving into diva-like behavior.

“Megan comes to the set very prepared.

She doesn’t take longer in the makeup trailer,” she insists. “She shows up to do her job just like everyone else. She’s also very smart in talking about character. In the conversations we had, it seemed like she understood something deeper about Jennifer. Jennifer was all about what was on the surface, but Megan recognized what was more human and exposed about her. She could dig deeper and go there.”

So is it possible that, beneath the rebellious spirit and the provocative mouth there lies a thoughtful young lady desperately in search of her true self? that, after being thrust into the harsh glare of fame’s spotlight at an age when most of us have not yet had our first

legal alcoholic beverage, fox responded aggressively rather than be exposed as vulnerable and full of self-loathing? the actress may be unwilling to elaborate on her insecurities, but she certainly doesn’t deny that they exist.

“It’s not anyone else’s fault that I haven’t really performed well in a film yet,” she insists. “It’s my fault. the truth is that I’ve been able to be a part of some films that I really didn’t feel like I deserved to be a part of, and gotten some opportunities that a lot of young actors don’t get. I’m not looking for anything specific to change that perception. I’m just looking for things that I feel will push me as an actress.” for all of the criticisms of her, A-list actors and directors seem to be lining up to bring more opportunities fox’s way.

She’ll be appearing opposite Bill Murray and Mickey Rourke this month in her first serious drama, passion play, and next year she’s rumored to be starring opposite paul Rudd and Leslie Mann in an as-yet-untitled project from writer/ director Judd Apatow. At this point, it seems as if the only one standing in the way of Megan fox’s career momentum is Megan fox herself. the question remains, when will she put her talent where her mouth is?

PG 15 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

CONCERT C LENDER SUNDAY MAY 1 529 Future Now EARL The Groundhawgs EDDIE’S ATTIC Don Dixon & Marti Jones FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids MONDAY MAY 2 529 FYN, Novakord CENTER STAGE CSS & Sleigh Bells EARL Joan As Police Woman EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Uncle Sugar SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids TUESDAY MAY 3 CENTER STAGE Mint Condition EARL Young Widows EDDIE’S ATTIC Alice Peacock FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars FIVE SPOT Jam Session SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids WEDNESDAY MAY 4 529 Life At Sea CENTER STAGE Greyson Chance & Cody Simpson EARL Movits!

EDDIE’S ATTIC Freight Room Reunion FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission FIVE SPOT Dubstruction PEACHTREE TAVERN Generation Now SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids STAR BAR Lake Street Dive THURSDAY MAY 5 529 Wolves & Jackals CENTER STAGE Mint Condition EARL The Growlers EDDIE’S ATTIC Ryan Montbleau Band FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT The Fiasco LOFT Dave FM CD Release Party PEACHTREE TAVERN Rave All-Stars SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids STAR BAR Glen Iris VERIZON Avenged Sevenfold, Seether FRIDAY MAY 6 529 Dirty Beaches BUCKHEAD SALOON Bling Crosby EARL GG King EDDIE’S ATTIC Junior League Band FAT MATT’S John Sosebee FIVE SPOT Conscious FOX Kylie Minogue LOFT Matt Wertz PEACHTREE TAVERN Southside of the Tracks SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids STAR BAR Howlies VERIZON Zac Brown Band VINYL Big Snow SATURDAY MAY 7 529 Coliseum BUCKHEAD SALOON Bling Crosby EARL Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun EDDIE’S ATTIC Michelle Malone Banned FAT MATT’S Beverly Watkins FIVE SPOT P, This Is Art PEACHTREE TAVERN Fullturn Jones SMITH’S 500 Songs for Kids STAR BAR All Night Drug Prowling Wolves VERIZON Zac Brown Band VINYL The Julia Dream SUNDAY MAY 8 EARL Phosphorescent EDDIE’S ATTIC The Dixie Bee Liners FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant FIVE SPOT Del the Funky Homosapien MONDAY MAY 9 529 Cute Boots EARL Wintersleep EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FOX Omar Faruk Tekbilek SMITH’S HEED

EDDIE’S ATTIC Kim Richey FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission FIVE SPOT Garage-a-Trois SMITH’S Dixie Creeper STAR BAR Gun Party TABERNACLE My Chemical Romance VINYL Plain Jane Automobile THURSDAY MAY 12 529 Jacuzzi Boys EARL Dax Riggs EDDIE’S ATTIC The Steel Wheels FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT Bodega Roja SMITH’S The Legendary JC’s STAR BAR All Get Out VINYL Hank & Cupcakes FRIDAY MAY 13 529 Gold Bears BUCKHEAD SALOON Justin Borgman CENTER STAGE Better Than Ezra EARL The Coathangers EDDIE’S ATTIC Jesse Tyler & The Neighbors FAT MATT’S Jason Pastras FIVE SPOT Charlie Hunter PEACHTREE TAVERN Dank Sinatra SMITH’S The Kicks STAR BAR Jack Oblivion VINYL Sex Type Thing SATURDAY MAY 14 529 A Giant Dog BUCKHEAD SALOON Aaron & The Stepfathers CENTER STAGE Nephew Tommy & Friends EARL From Exile EDDIE’S ATTIC The Freddy Jones Band FAT MATT’S Mike Delaney FIVE SPOT Deep Fried Five PEACHTREE TAVERN Lance Stinson PHILIPS Bon Jovi SMITH’S Bob Marley Tribute STAR BAR The Winter Sounds TABERNACLE Fleet FOXes SUNDAY MAY 15 EDDIE’S ATTIC Jan Smith Student Showcase FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant FIVE SPOT Jimmy Hall SMITH’S A Thousand Horses MONDAY MAY 16 529 Two Cow Garage EARL Catch 23 EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Uncle Sugar SMITH’S HEED

WEDNESDAY MAY 18 529 Pikacyu-Makoto EARL Here We Go Magic EDDIE’S ATTIC Tony Furtado FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission FIVE SPOT Indy Revenge TABERNACLE Hollywood Undead THURSDAY MAY 19 CENTER STAGE Blue October EARL Knaves Grave EDDIE’S ATTIC Atlanta Jewish Music Fest FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT High Strung String Band TABERNACLE The Flaming Lips VINYL Ben Deignan

TUESDAY MAY 10 529 Two Man Gentlemen CENTER STAGE Danzig EDDIE’S ATTIC Jennifer Knapp FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars FIVE SPOT Jam Session FOX Bruno Mars & Janelle Monae SMITH’S Deadstring Brother WEDNESDAY MAY 11 529 The NEC EARL The Love Lanuage

SATURDAY MAY 21 529 The Purkinje Shift BUCKHEAD SALOON Wes Yoakam

PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

FRIDAY MAY 27 529 XO, Abby GoGo BUCKHEAD SALOON Seven Sharp Nine EDDIE’S ATTIC Shawn Mullins FAT MATT’S Uncle Sugar FIVE SPOT Good Foot Promotions SMITH’S Grayson Capps STAR BAR Bubbapalooza TABERNACLE Panic At The Disco

SUNDAY MAY 22 EARL Gruff Rhys FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant FIVE SPOT Now You See Them SMITH’S Crash Test Dummies

SATURDAY MAY 28 529 Sorry No Ferrari BUCKHEAD SALOON Seven Sharp Nine CENTER STAGE Namjoo EDDIE’S ATTIC Shawn Mullins FAT MATT’S The Vipers FIVE SPOT Cunning Lynguists LOFT Bone Thugs-n-Harmony SMITH’S Packway Handle Band STAR BAR Bubbapalooza TABERNACLE The Deftones

MONDAY MAY 23 529 Qurious EARL Noel Stephen & The Darlings FAT MATT’S Uncle Sugar SMITH’S HEED TUESDAY MAY 24 529 Death Set AARON’S Jimmy Buffett EDDIE’S ATTIC Night Driving In Small Towns FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars FIVE SPOT Jam Session PEACHTREE TAVERN Taproot WEDNESDAY MAY 25 529 Lyonnais EDDIE’S ATTIC Firehouse Guitars FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission FIVE SPOT Blackfoot Gypsies LOFT Bob Schneider PEACHTREE TAVERN Velcro Pygmies SMITH’S Dixie Creeper TABERNACLE Manchester Orchestra THURSDAY MAY 26 COBB ENERGY Bill Maher EARL Lazer Wulf EDDIE’S ATTIC Jill Knight FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT Gappy Ranks SMITH’S Lyndsay Wojcik VINYL Elizabeth & The Catapult

Bill Maher COBB ENERGY CENTRE

MAY 26 TUESDAY MAY 17 529 Red Sea, Vegan EARL Fake Problems EDDIE’S ATTIC FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars FIVE SPOT Jam Session LOFT Uh Huh Her SMITH’S Chris Thile & Michael Daves

FRIDAY MAY 20 529 Blair Crimmins AARON’S Kenny Chesney BUCKHEAD SALOON Wes Yoakam CENTER STAGE Mogwai EARL Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. EDDIE’S ATTIC Edie Carey FAT MATT’S The Stooge Brothers FIVE SPOT Isness PEACHTREE TAVERN Radiolucent SMITH’S Lindsay Rakers Band TABERNACLE The Flaming Lips

CENTER STAGE Atlanta Jewish Music Fest EARL Quinton & Miss Pussycat EDDIE’S ATTIC Pat McGee FAT MATT’S The Blue Monkeys FIVE SPOT Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band PEACHTREE TAVERN Holman Autry Band SMITH’S The Hackensaw Boys STAR BAR A Fight To The Death VINYL Beyond Tomorrow

SUNDAY MAY 29 FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant FIVE SPOT Uncle Mountain SMITH’S Brian Olive MONDAY MAY 30 529 Grasshopper Retrograde EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Uncle Sugar SMITH’S HEED SUNDAY MAY 31 529 Yvette EDDIE’S ATTIC Kelly McFarling SMITH’S Charlie Parr

Photo courtesy of Alberto Tolot and Home Box Office.

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JUNE 28

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MAY 26 • 8PM Charge By Phone: 800-745-3000. All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.

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PG 17 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

BY OVERWHELMING POPULAR DEMAND A 2ND & FINAL SHOW ADDED!

SAT, MAY 21

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Charge by phone: 800-745-3000 All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees. All shows rain or shine.

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows By sacha dzuBa

May 5 - Echo and thE BunnyMEn

The Masquerade You’ve been patient Atlanta, Echo and the Bunnymen are FINALLY coming to town! Swirling in a fusion of post-punk and Doorsesque psychedelics, the Bunnymen will be performing their classic albums Crocodiles and Heaven Up Here in their entirety. Don’t know who Echo and the Bunnymen are?! You might recognize their song “Lips Like Sugar” or perhaps you know “The Killing Moon” from its inclusion in cult film, Donnie Darko. Heck, what about their cover of the Doors’ “People Are Strange” from the Lost Boys?! Look, go see them. They were seminal in the 80’s with an extremely strong four album run.

May 6 – KyliE MinoguE

The Fox Theatre Kylie Minogue has come a long way from doing the Locomotion. She’s often been compared to and self-admittedly is inspired by Madonna. Kylie is the Princess of Pop. Her album, Fever, gained her some notoriety here in the US. You might’ve heard her songs “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and “Come Into My World”. You may know her from her difficult battle with breast cancer. You may know her as the sexy green fairy from the film Moulin Rouge. If you don’t know her, fix that! Kylie’s latest studio album is “Aphrodite”. She’s got a very pop oriented, disco (in a good way, yes that’s possible), techno, dance sound.

Check her out online if you aren’t too sure, but then go see her live, her shows are a true spectacle and she is a charming performer.

May 10 – Bruno Mars & JanEllE MonaE

The Fox Theatre Bruno Mars worked initially as a writer for several other artists. His goal was to become a solo artist. He finally realized this with the release of his debut album DooWops & Hooligans. You can hear the influence Michael Jackson has had on his falsetto vocal style and musically he’s across the board, from hip hop/R&B to, reggae, to rock, to pop. Inspired by the imagery of Fritz Lang and sounds ranging from 1930s jazz to hip-hop, Janelle Monae’s Archandroid has become her breakout album. A great dancer, soulful voice and brilliant performer, Monae spins and twirls with a frenetic blend of James Brown, Judy Garland and the classiest Motown Soul. Go see two wonderful singers and check out the unique vision of Ms Monae’s future forward music.

May 14 – FlEEt FoxEs

The Tabernacle Fleet Foxes are heavily inspired by music from the old world and folk music. They use swirling complex harmonies, and have detailed guitar work. Though they echo artists such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young, they never sound like an amalgamation, but are instead their own unique sound and creation. Their debut album of three years ago went platinum. Their

eagerly anticipated sophomore album, Helplessness Blues, released early this month, has gotten some great reviews already. This is poetry meets rock. The intricacies of what the Fleet Foxes create is something that can only be heard, Go!

May 17 – uh huh hEr

The Loft Uh Huh Her are chiefly made up of classically trained pianist, Camilla Gray who has worked with Mellowdrone and Adam Lambert and Leisha Hailey of the Murmurs and Gush. Leisha’s fame as Alice from The L Word may eclipse her musical spotlight a bit, but don’t be fooled into thinking “Oh geez, popular actor makes a record”. The bubbly electo-pop sound of U. H. H. is dancier Ladytron without the boring moments of repetition. Their swirly voices weave in and out of each other tricked out with dancey beats and electronic bursts and melodies. The live band is fully fleshed out with guitarist Brad Ackley and drummer Josh Kane, adding musical skill and energy. Expect lots of lipstick lesbians whipped into frenzy over “Alice”, the music is still sure to please with swirly dream guitar lines ala Lush and the aforementioned Ladytron-esque style of dancey electro-pop.

May 19 & 20 – thE FlaMing lips

The Tabernacle The Flaming Lips are a musical cross between Willy Wonka and a psychedelic Cat in the Hat. Their live shows feature melodic multi-layered psych-rock music, with space rock style lyrics; along with balloons, smoke, confetti, bear suits, and a giant plastic hamster-ball. Charismatic frontman Wayne Coyne leads the chaos with true enthusiasm, always earnest, emotional, and speaking from the heart. The Lips enjoy an almost cult-like following and continue to create wacky releases to accompany their eclectic spacious music. This current tour will see them playing their album The Soft Bulletin in its entirety. Two great nights to expect lots of dreamy, trippy, bizarre imagery, the importance of peace, love and understanding, and I’m sure the closing of the night will be with the beautiful song “Do You Realize?”.

We got next SharkS

May 21 - paul siMon

Chastain Park Amphitheater Paul Simon, though historically one part of the pair Simon and Garfunkel, is certainly one of the best known singer/songwriters of the last few decades. Yes, he’s been around awhile, but he still loves to play music and he’s coming to Atlanta’s Chastain Park Amphitheatre. .”

Although he’s been rockin’ since the sixties, one of my most vivid memories is watching Paul Simon’s music video for “You can call me Al”. Chevy Chase lip-sync the entire song, while Simon play’s various instruments and looks bored and defeated. Simon’s latest album was released this April, entitled So Beautiful or So What. Decidedly bluegrass influenced, Paul has called the album “the best work I’ve done in 20 years.” Go to see and hear an American original perform his classics, his newer hits, and his newest material.

JunE 5 - B. B. King & Buddy guy

Chastain Park Amphitheater BB King and Buddy Guy are two of the top blues guitarists ever: Ranking #3 and #13, respectively, on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list, the term “Living Legends” comes to mind.These celebrated artists will blow your mind with their soulful and powerful musicianship. BB King won a Grammy for his well known hit, “The Thrill is Gone,” and routinely gives 250 performances a year. Buddy Guy is known for his consummate showmanship and decided at an early age to play guitar like Guitar Slim, but to sound like B.B. King. Apparently Hendrix used to cancel his own shows just to go see Buddy Guy play.

Check out these two living legends, together, for one night only.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: The Joys Of Living (rise) For Fans of: Social Distortion, Gaslight anthem, Warped Tour Why You Should Care: Because this brash young Uk band was tapped for the opening slot on punk legends Social Distortion’s latest tour before they’d even released their debut album. If they’re good enough for the Warped Tour, they’re good enough for you!

By JOhn B. MOOre

T

he UK band The SharKS have yet to release a proper debut album, and yet they have already snagged one of the opening spot on Social distortion’s latest tour and are already committed to play every date of this summer’s Warped Tour. not bad for a band that has yet to play a single show in the U.S. before this year. rise records, fans of the bands earlier ePs, talked the band into signing and has just put out The Joys of Living, a compilation of the band’s earlier music (which was mostly recorded when they were still in their teens). Playing rock in the vein of Gaslight anthem and Social d, this four-piece band of punk rockers is clearly off to a solid start.

Singer/guitarist James Mattock spoke recently about the band, landing a dream gig right out of that gate and the warnings they’ve already received about life on the Warped Tour.

How did the band first get together? andy (bayliss, guitar) and I formed the band at

school out of a bond over the same music. We wrote a few songs as a two piece and invited Sam (Lister, drums) to join to his acceptance. Christian) O’reilly, bass) joined a year later, replacing our then bass player. We’re basically the only people we know with the unspoken understanding for each other and the dynamics are perfect. The aim has always been to create to a 100% standard of personal satisfaction and we’ll do all we can to preserve that notion.

The Joys of Living is a compilation of your earlier songs.

Have you started working on a new record yet?

We have around 16 songs good to go. We’re just in the process of demoing and really thinking about how we want our debut to sound. We’re going to continue writing because we don’t see any reason to stop, but the songs are sounding great. Just last week we were demoing at the Lodge in northampton, where we recorded our first eP, Shallow Waters. It’s great to be back in there and the writing process has been very organic and progressive, musically and lyrically. We’re just trying things out and seeing what feels good and we’re doing our best to not think to hard about any preconceived expectations for this album. When the songs are ready we’ll know it.

How did you first connect with Rise Records, your label in the U.S.?

The guys at the label had been fans of the band and

already owned all our previous releases. So being a record label they naturally wanted to work with us on something. They just got in touch and really expressed a great deal of enthusiasm for it. It’s great to work with those who really get the drive of our band and want to help steer it.

You scored a major coup getting the opening slot for Social Distortion and Chuck Ragan. How did that happen?

We just pushed our very all for it. If there was three dream bands we’d like to tour with, Social distortion would be in there. They’re a huge influence on all of us and luckily everything just came together. Our manager and agent pushed from the very start and I owe them all the thanks. I also suspect that making friends with Gaslight (anthem) and Chuck ragan alike helped out because they’re all in the same kind of ilk and friends. We’ve also recently been jamming a song of theirs, “Lude boy” which we recorded at Maida vale for the bbC. They’re just amazing, and to be put on the same bill says a lot about our band and I’m especially proud of that.

Have you played in the U.S. before this year?

That we haven’t. We only played overseas for the first time in October last year when went to europe with the Gaslight anthem. We’re really excited to come over. The whole idea actually really blows my mind because it seems america has come to us early on in our career and it was really unexpected. a lot of our contemporaries haven’t been to the US yet so obviously we’re feeling very pleased with ourselves.

What are your impressions of the audiences here?

I reckon it’ll be awesome. There actually seems to be more enthusiasm for our band out there than over here, and certainly a broader understanding of the music we’re playing. The UK has been really tough to work, so I’m hoping the US gives us a bit more of a break. The music scene can sometimes feel a bit stuck-up here, but that’s not to say we’ll ever give up.

Your also playing a bunch of Warped dates this summer - have you been warned yet about what you’re in for?

Yeah all we really get is warnings and stories of hard times. but we’re really sticking our chests out for this one. We want it to beat and batter us. We’re going to come of that tour the best punk band in britain. We’re looking at it as a massive opportunity because usually smaller bands like ours rarely get to play a festival so big and popular. So we’re honored to be given the chance and we intend to completely fulfill it.

So what’s next for the band?

We’re back in august so hopefully hit some of the last UK festivals. Then we really want to get stuck in with our album and hopefully get it recorded by the end of the year. It really has been a long time coming but the timing definitely feels right. We started this band at a very young age so I’m glad we didn’t rush into a full length record. The Joys Of Living is a celebration of our teenage years and the material we recorded at that time, and the new record is beginning to feel like a real step up. We’ve been demoing a lot recently like I said, it’s really taking shape now and we’re confident and happy with it. We can’t wait to unleash it onto the world.

PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

MUSIC

MUSIC

Album Reviews Reviews by John Moore and Jon Latham

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA – SIMPLE MATH (Columbia/Favorite Gentlemen) Closer to God BL: It’s a testament to Manchester Orchestra’s music that I still can’t get songs from 2009’s Mean Everything To Nothing out of my head.

But a recurring criticism lobbied against that album was that it was too easy to hear the influence of alt-rock icons such as Nirvana and Neutral Milk Hotel on Andy Hull’s compositions. As the band unveils its third LP– which Hull describes as a concept album featuring “dueling conversations between me and my wife, and me and God”– the question remains whether their musical maturity can measure up to the metaphysical quandaries often explored in Hull’s lyrics.

Hull answers right away on the opening “Deer,” a bare-boned lament that gradually adds pedal steel, reverberating piano and high lonesome harmonies as he sings, “Dear everybody that has paid to see my band/ I still confuse it, I’ll never understand/ I acted like an asshole so my albums would never burn/ I’m hungry now in scraps of dirty dirt.” That’s the first of many personally revealing lyrics on the Dan Hannonproduced album, which veers from the grungy stomp of the aptly-titled “Mighty” to the pogodancing alt-pop of “Pensacola,” from the classic blues-rock propulsion of “April Fool” to the haunting “Virgin” (which features the best use of a children’s choir since Pink Floyd).

Strings, synths and complex arrangements abound, showcasing a songwriter truly coming of age and confronting his personal demons head-on, occasionally losing control, but finding his distinctive creative voice in the process.

PAUL SIMON – SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT (Hear Music) A new masterpiece for a new time JL: So much can be, and has been, said about the broad sonic strokes that Paul Simon has used over the years. ‘Graceland’ gave us an album that painted a new picture of America, accented by the spirited rhythms of Africa. ‘Surprise’ found Simon collaborating with Brian Eno and his signature soundscapes. Once again, Paul finds a way to keep us comfortable as strangers in his strange land, the final product of which stands as one of his best in a career that spans over 40 years.

The passage of time and the spiritual realm are recurring themes throughout. “The Afterlife” finds Simon, after his death, getting acquainted with the indifference of Heaven.

“You got to fill out a form first; and then you wait in the line.” Business as usual, it seems; we’re so curious to see what we’ve been waiting for beyond our mortal coil. Go figure, we still don’t know. Characters in “Rewrite” speak of humanity in the way that has kept Paul Simon vital through the generations. God the father and Jesus pay a visit in “Love and Hard Times”, discussing the pros and cons of the creation they have left to us, God saying, “If we stay it’s bound to be a mob scene; but, disappear, and it’s love and hard times.” Even face to face with what might be divinity in Brooklyn, Simon voices the story of “Questions For the Angels” the verses that Simon pens are markedly sincere in their humility. The bluesy shuffle of “Love and Blessings” makes for a contradicting yet beautiful counterpart to the beautiful guitar work over it, yet again, an amazing touch by the able hand of a veteran craftsman.

Generations have passed since Simon laid himself down as a bridge over the troubled waters of modern times. Now, in new times, the PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

The Dean’s List

more we’ve changed, the more we’ve stayed the same. Paul Simon embraces both sides to our story. While other pupils of his age have settled comfortably into their legacies, Paul pushes onward because, with new faces coming and going, there’s always something new to say.

BLAIR CRIMMINS & THE HOOKERS – THE MUSICAL STYLINGS OF… (New Rag) Musical rebirths BL: Riding his skateboard after a day of drinking at the Sweetwater 420 Festival, Crimmins fell and hit his head on the concrete, suffered a massive concussion and woke up in the hospital three days later. At the time, Crimmins was frontman for Atlanta band Bishop Don, which was in the process of recording their second album. But the accident’s explainable side effects– tinnitus and a temporary loss of smell– were overshadowed by a more inexplicable result: He never wanted to hear an electric guitar again.

Instead, Crimmins’ debut album blends ragtime, Dixieland and Gypsy jazz influences to create an imaginary soundtrack to some speakeasy from the Prohibiton era. He’s not the first Atlanta act to traffic in this anachronistic sound– the Bonaventure Quartet, Bernadette Seacrest and A Fight To The Death all mine similar sonic territory. But where other bands take a more smooth and seductive route, Crimmins’ concoctions (especially “Mean Mean Man,” “This Modern World,” “Oh Angela!” and “Hookers On The Rag”) careen with a sense of abandon that sounds like the bastard son of Tom Waits and Gogol Bordello raised playing piano in a salacious saloon.

Ukelele, vibraphone, dirty brass, coronet and more find their way into the merry mix, and even slower songs “Without You” and “A Demon Like Me” boast a sense of playfulness that make it clear Crimmins is having the time of his life. So will you.

Years After the Blizzard also manages to give a touching look into Ozzy’s relationship with Rhodes, who died in a tragic accident shortly after the release of the second record. The Prince of Darkness still gets misty eyes sitting in his studio listening to found audio of Rhodes playing his guitar during the recording sessions.

In 2002, a spiteful Sharon Osbourne– fighting in court with the band’s original rhythm section over royalties– reissued these albums after stripping the original bass and drums and having Ozzy’s current bandmates re-record those parts.

This latest boxed set rights a wrong by remastering the original albums. I guess you really can’t kill rock and roll.

Rest of the Class PREFUSE 73/JAYTRAM/EPSTEIN – SELF-TITLED (Asthmatic Kitty) Glitch-happy IDM experimentation BL: Trying to describe the sample-heavy sound of Prefuse 73 (a.k.a. longtime Atlanta resident Guillermo Scott Herren) is like trying to hold water in your fist: Just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, you realize it’s moved on. There are elements of experimental electronic music, hip-hop, jazz, ambient noise and found sounds sprinkled in, but the combination often feels like driving down a busy city street with the windows of your car rolled down.

Here, Herren and Yeasayer drummer Jaytram collaborate on remixing the solo music of Helado Negro frontman Roberto Carlos Negro (a.k.a. Epstein), who has co-produced three of Herren’s albums (two by Prefuse 73, one under the Savath + Savales moniker). The results are unlikely to expand the artists’ appeal beyond their core glitch-hop fan base, but fans of acts like Aphex Twin, Autechre and Shrillex will enjoy the bizarro sonic smorgasbords. GRADE: C+

NICOLE ATKINS – MONDO AMORE (Razor & Tie) OZZY OSBOURNE – BLIZZARD OF OZ/DIARY OF A Long-awaited follow-ups MADMAN: 30TH ANNIVERSARY (Legacy/Epic) The Prince of Darkness revisited JM: Five years seems like a long time to wait nowadays for a new record, when any laptop JM: Looking back, you have to ask what all the can convert into a portable recording studio, but controversy was about. Sure, Ozzy bit the head Nicole Atkins gets a pass. On Mondo Amore, off a bat (and a dove) and he wrote a song called the first real follow-up of new music to her 2006 “Suicide Solution.” But did his first couple of debut (the EP released in 2009 was all covers), solo records really deserve so much vitriol from Atkins ratchets up everything from the writing every right-wing political group and nutjob to the music, turning in an effort that eclipses religious organization with a bullhorn and her previous albums. photocopier?

Though the record is not flawless– tracks On the 30th anniversary of the release of like the opener, “Vultures,” and “This is For Ozzy’s first two solo records, Legacy has re- Love,” while decent, don’t quite measure up to mastered both albums, adding a slew of extra some of the more rock-oriented songs– but all tracks and a live CD. The records stand up is forgiven thanks to songs like “Cry Cry Cry,” remarkably well over the decades, and what’s the stellar “My Baby Don’t Lie” and the beautiful surprising most is just how accessible the songs “War is Hell.” With raspy vocals that evoke come across. Though his critics would have everyone from Janis Joplin to Audra Mae, Atkins you believe the music is nothing more than is proving to be one worth waiting for, even if it love notes to Satan wrapped around blistering takes her another five years to come up with a metal guitars, the truth is that the songs are full-length of original material. GRADE: B inspiring lyrically (“Crazy Train” is possibly the most coherent metal song ever penned) and WARREN HAYNES – MAN IN MOTION (Stax) the music– from Ozzy’s voice to Randy Rhodes The jam scene’s constant chameleon gets some soul groundbreaking guitar solos– can honestly be called pop music just as easily as metal.

JL: What can Warren Haynes not play? He As Sharon Osbourne explains in the remains a long-standing member of the documentary that accompanies the set, they legendary Allman Brothers Band, he co-founded set out to record albums that would be both the hard-hitting Gov’t Mule, he has toured in creatively and commercially successful. And later incarnations of the Dead, and he has sat they were. Songs like “Flying High Again,” in with acts ranging from David Allan Coe to “Over the Mountain” and “You Can’t Kill Rock Coheed and Cambria. While his guitar work and Roll,” are among some of the genre’s best has made him one of the figureheads of the jam and even belong on the playlist of those who community, Haynes takes a step towards the have never owned a Sabbath album. Thirty

more personal side, delivering a collection of tunes that rock and groove in homage to the soul records of years gone by.

Released by the legendary Stax Records, ‘Man in Motion’ showcases not only Haynes’ amazing scope of stylistic guitar work, but, all the more, it showcases the gritty soulful vocals that tend to not get the recognition they deserve in a scene where improvised instrumental jams are the star of the show. In the title track, Warren casts himself as yet another “big-time dreams, smalltown man” protagonist, set in front of a wahwah laced groove that harkens back to the tightknit arrangements of the great Staple Singers records. “Rivers Gonna Rise” has tasty guitar work that will get his devoted fans dancing.

Fiery horns had flare to the grooves of “Sick of my Shadow”. When Haynes and company slow it down for numbers like “Your Wildest Dreams” and “Save Me”, the voices of the greats that have darkened the door of those Stax studios in the past find themselves channeled through his amazing voice.

With a track record that finds Haynes challenging himself to top his last great riff, it is amazing to see his restraint and control when tackling these tight-knit songs. Soul music like this is in short supply these days. While it not be reinventing the wheel, Haynes has a masters touch, taking the nostalgic sound of Memphis soul and giving it a lovingly cautious tune-up.

GRADE: B THE WITCHES – A HAUNTED PERSON’S GUIDE TO (Alive) One last look at twisted garage-rockers JM: With a major jones for 1960’s era psychedelic garage rock, Detroit-based band The Witches comfortably flew under the radar for a decade before calling it a day. As their latest and presumably last release, A Haunted Person’s Guide, a collection of cuts from the band’s first five records proves, they were perfectly fine staying out of the spotlight.

Troy Gregory, the only constant in the rotating band, pretty much closed the lid on the Witches in 2002 after he left to form The Dirtbombs, but was kind enough to leave us with a solid collection of some of his old band’s finest moments including “Everyone the Greatest” and the Tom Waits-esque “The Haunted Regulars.”

Written without an eye (or ear) toward popular radio, the songs that make up A Haunted Person’s Guide were clearly Gregory exercising his creative ghosts. The collection, taken as a whole, shows the band certainly deserved a wider audience outside of record store employees and bitter music critics. GRADE: B DAVID BERKELEY – SOME KIND OF CURE (Straw Man) A gem worth discovering BL: This singer-songwriter is one of the greatest undiscovered gems of the modern folk music scene. Educated at Harvard with degrees in literature and philosophy, he’s been a river rafting guide in Idaho, worked for Outside magazine in Santa Fe, taught impoverished kids in Brooklyn, and lived in a small village in Corsica while his wife worked on her PhD in anthropology.

As a result, his music and lyrics boast the mature, worldly sound of a person who has actually lived, with the great stories to prove it.

To pay for his fourth studio album (produced by Tucker-based Will Robertson), Berkeley enlisted financial funding from his fans. Songs like the opening “George Square,” “Steel Mill” and the title track are some of his richest, most lushly arranged compositions to date, and the result is his most satisfying CD yet. GRADE: A-

Music

The RadiaToRs

the RadiatoRs have always Been swiMMing upstReaM. it’s always Been us tRying to Be a squaRe peg in a Round hole. it’s not just the RadiatoRs.

A Tough Void to Fill By shane Finkelstein

I

t was 1993 and two years removed from their release of their contract with epic records and Frank Bua, the drummer for the radiators, was doing his own publicity. He picked up a copy of Insite Magazine and called the number. when I answered, Bua asked me if I’d ever heard of a band called the radiators. He was in luck. I had been to Mardi Gras a few times and I was quickly becoming a fan of new orleans’ music.

Bua invited me to their show later that night at the roxy and I got to meet the band. It wasn’t until the following year that I met Bua again and reviewed the band’s latest live album Bucket of Fish. The album encapsulates the Fish Head scene in new orleans that I have grown to love. now after 33 years it is coming to an end. Thousands of radiators fans around the country are wondering what’s going to happen to the scene that bassist reggie scanlan affectionately refers to as “a working community.” “what’s even more important than the music we played,” adds scanlan, “is the community that we were a catalyst in forming. we’ve made friends with our fans; traveled with them.” now after more than 4000 live shows with all the original band members, lead singer/songwriter/ keyboardist ed Volker told his band mates that he was ready to hang it up. “I told the guys that this is something I was debating for the last couple of years. Just because of stresses of getting off the road and getting out of this kind of life. It was mainly for my own health. I gotta leave this life with 6 or 7 months to go so everyone could get there own houses in order so they could figure

out what they want to do next.” That strategy has benefitted the band greatly. Their recent performances, both locally and nationally, have been mostly sellouts. “It’s better to go out this way,” adds Malone. “Better than getting a call in the middle of the night that one of your bandmates had died.” scanlan agrees. “I’ve been wanting this (breakup) for a long time. But you can’t just leave for practical reasons. I’ve got a household to support. But, as soon as the band decided to split, I was like, this is great, new opportunities.

I’m a person who likes change. Life is change, if your not on that plan, you’re gonna get left behind and totally run over.” scanlan also appears to be the most ambitious of the band members. He’s already moving on to a new project. “Me and willie Green, for years have been wanting to do a band together. The band we have now is me, willie Green (drums-neville Brothers), Jake eckert (guitar) and Kevin Harrison (sax-dirty dozen Brass Band) and Cr Groover (keyboards). we’re playing some neville stuff like ‘Congo square’ and ‘Hey Pocky way,’ radiators stuff and dirty dozen stuff. we’re gonna play anything funky. we want to keep the fan bases of those bands. It’s a good way to keep up with your past and get your fan base into something new.

“It’s gonna be sad,” said a sentimental Bua but he is still holding out hope. “I’d like to see us play locally. we’ve played Jazz Fest, MoM’s Ball every year since we’ve been together. I love tipitina’s.

Volker, however, says “I have no ambitions any more. I want to get back to playing the piano again. I want to get back to being a piano player again and not just the keyboards.

dave Malone thinks the band might go on without Volker. “I can’t afford to take six months off. The easiest thing to do, would be the four remaining guys will get another keyboardist that can sing, or get a keyboardist and a singer and just continue what would be The radiators Part 2. The original act of The radiators is gonna be a hard act to follow.” and what of the legacy the radiators left behind. to many, they are the greatest rock ‘n roll band in the history of new orleans. to others, rock ‘n roll doesn’t have a place in new orleans history. when asked about the Jazz & Heritage Festival’s snub of the coveted Jazz Fest Poster, Malone muses, “The radiators have always been swimming upstream. It’s always been us trying to be a square peg in a round hole. It’s not just The radiators. you have your brass band thing, your funk musical thing and your jazz thing. new orleans rock and roll has always been treated that way. Cowboy Mouth and Better Than ezra, whether you like them or not, they try to be the best rock band or pop band, but it’s not easy to be a successful rock band from new orleans..” whatever their historical value may be, there are thousands of Fish Heads wondering what’s next.

John driver, music promoter and radiators’ aficionado, emphasizes that “I’m at a loss for words about what we’re gonna do (without the rads). what are we gonna do musically without a guitar band from new orleans? we have Honey Island swamp Band and tommy Malone and the Mystic drones. These may replace them musically, but nothing is gonna replace the lifelong friends that I’ve made through the radiators.” what the fans will have to settle for now is one more Jazz Fest run and their final three shows at titipina’s- dubbed The Last watusi- in mid June.

Most of us hope that it’ll be like the subdudes, who have had several reunion tours. But Malone says that Volker “sounded very unlikely (to play with us again). The final tour for my brother’s band was very successful. They did it three or four times. I just find that a little distasteful.” as for me, the rads have been the one constant in our lives. no matter how rough the patches have gotten, my wife and I always knew we could go see the rads and have fun together. we could lose ourselves in the bluesy rock ‘n roll and fall in love all over again. That’s gonna be a hard thing to replace.

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thu, may 5

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w/ dallas martin Band

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w/ druid city

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DOG FRIENDLY OutDOOR SEatING w. watER buckEtS aND tREatS PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

MUSIC/ARTS

THE MASTER OF PERCUSSION

Legendary Drummer Zakir Hussain On Indian Music, Cultural Fusion & Working With Bela Fleck

I

I’ve always been intrigued by the complexity of Indian music and the dedication it takes to master it. At what age did you begin playing percussion?

The first thing is to understand that, for any music, it is important to be in that environment, soaking in all the information, just living it. That’s what my life was all about. As a young child, the rhythms and sounds were constantly there, with students practicing, my father teaching, playing recordings and going to concerts. By the time I was 3 or 4 I was recognizing tones and patterns. I was involved in it all day, but more from looking in rather than being in. I saw my father interacting with all these students and musicians and the adulation coming to him. He became larger than life, almost godlike, and I wanted to connect to him in that way. By the time I was seven I was playing in school concerts.

How did your dad respond to your budding interest in tabla?

He played reverse psychology! (Laughs) Instead of pushing me into doing it, he just kept away. The more he kept away, the more I wanted to be in it. So when I was seven, he said, “So you want to study this?” He would wake me up at 2 a.m., and I wanted to open up my tabla, but he said, “No, we’re going to talk.” For the next 4 or 5 years, we did that every night. I would sit in front of him and he’d talk with me about rhythms, sing the patterns and have me sing them back, and talk about old masters and great musicians of that time. I cannot explain the ecstasy of those moments. By age 12, I was being sent out to play concerts by him and with him, as his apprentice. At the age of 19, I was sent as his replacement to perform with Ravi Shankar in New York, and my life changed forever.

Indian Classical music has historically been dominated by purists. What was the reaction when you first started collaborating with Western musicians in the 1970s?

By the time I started, Ravi Shankar and my father had already done it, so it wasn’t that much of a shock. I’m a rhythm player, and rhythm is universal. When my father made a record with Buddy Rich, it seemed very natural. What was interesting PG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Guy Harvey’s Artwork, Research Institute & Restaurants All Have A Common Mission: To Protect Our Seas

BY BRET LOVE

G

BY BRET LOVE

N THE ANNALS OF NORTH INDIAN Classical music, few artists boast more international acclaim (or name recognition) than master percussionist Zakir Hussain.

Son of tabla virtuoso Alla Rakha, Hussain was raised surrounded by legends like Ravi Shankar.

By the age of 19 he was accompanying Shankar and other Indian music icons, and by his early twenties he was working with Western musicians such as George Harrison and jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. He is perhaps best known in America for his collaborations with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart in numerous projects, including Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum and Mystery Box. Now Hussain has embarked on a cross-cultural collaboration with banjo player Bela Fleck and bassist Edgar Meyer, fusing elements of jazz, bluegrass and Indian music to create a stylistic fusion unlike anything you’ve ever heard. We recently spoke to the tabla master as the trio embarked upon its first tour.

SEA SHEPHERD

for me was that my father was very supportive of whatever I was doing. The only thing he said to me was, “Make sure that you have your own identity and do the thing that you do best, which is playing tabla.”

What is the excitement for you in combining cultural influences with other people?

The excitement is learning. My father once told me, “Don’t try to be a master: Just be a good student.” Every time I play with a musician I’ve never played with before, I learn something new.

When play with Bela Fleck, John McLaughlin or Mickey Hart, I learn from them. That allows me to expand my table repertoire into territories it’s never gone before. The tabla is a unique instrument in the sense that it has the capacity to absorb whatever information to print on it. It will bend to the needs of the moment. Your latest collaboration finds you working with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. How did that trio come together? I still wonder about that– bass, banjo and tabla?!– but they have something in common in that they can be melodically supportive or rhythmically supportive to the main instrument. It was Edgar and Bela who sought me out. The Nashville Symphony was opening a new concert hall, and for the opening they asked Edgar and Bela to write a concerto.

They said they’d only do it if Nashville would allow them to bring a third musician in, and they wanted me. So I got involved in it because of them.

Was there great chemistry right away?

When I first met them, I thought, “I’m going to ask them to teach me about bluegrass or 4-part harmony.” But before I could say anything, they said, “Can you please teach us some Indian rhythmic exercises and scales?” I was like, “What?

I want to learn from you!” It’s so amazing to find like-minded people, and that led to us getting to know each other on many more levels.

The liner notes of The Melody of Rhythm suggest that the trio has more projects in mind for the future. Where would you like to see the group go from here?

Over the years, when you play together, you discover things about each other. The more you interact with people, the more you touch on little details– the coil unwinds and the knots open.

Edgar, Bela and I are just starting to go through that and finding that there are so many ways our instruments can speak to each other on so many levels. I guess the idea is to let the music to find its spirit and character through the tour. Hopefully, by the time we’re done, we will have a new album!

UY HARVEY WEARS MANY HATS. He’s best known as a wildlife artist, whose stunningly realistic portraits of marine life have made his brand immensely popular with fishermen. The chain of seafood restaurants bearing his name, Guy Harvey’s Island Grill, includes locations in Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and the Cayman Islands. There are Guy Harvey books, clothing, boat wraps and DVDs, charting his adventures as an avid angler and diver. But, if you ask Harvey, his most important efforts come from his lifelong work as a marine conservationist.

A 10th generation Jamaican of English heritage, Harvey studied marine biology at Scotland’s Aberdeen University before getting his PhD in Fisheries Management in 1982. He found a way to combine his love of art and the sea in the mid-‘80s, but he never stopped studying the ocean and fighting to preserve the creatures that inhabit it. For years he has donated proceeds from the sale of his artwork to protect marine life and advocate for responsible, sustainable commercial and recreational fishing. And in 1999 he teamed with Ft Lauderdale’s Nova Southeastern University to found the Guy Harvey Research Institute, which conducts research on the ecology and conservation of sharks and stingrays, artificial reef design and more.

We recently spoke to Harvey about the prominent issues facing marine life today, and what the average person can do to help keep our oceans healthy for generations to come.

How do you think growing up in the Caribbean influenced your interest in marine biology?

I grew up in southwest Jamaica, where my parents farmed beef cattle. They also had a small beach cottage on the coast at Belmontand both loved fishing. My Dad had a 26-foot long canoe built, with an outboard engine, bamboo outriggers and a local fisherman to guide him. Each time I was at home on school holidays I went fishing with my parents or a local charter boat captain. My desire to learn more about fish and, subsequently, to study and paint them originated from these early experiences.

You got your PhD in Fisheries Management. At what point did art go from being a hobby to a career?

The transition was slow. I was busy finishing up my PhD thesis, and then began teaching while there were increasing demands for my work in Florida. By 1986 my work was appearing on apparel, and I signed a contract with T-Shirts Of Florida. I resigned from the University of the West Indies and went full-time into the production of art. My style broadened to include watercolor, oil and acrylic paint, but my strength was in my knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and ecology of the animals I painted.

Do you remember a certain revelation that took you from merely appreciating marine life to feeling compelled to protect it?

As the Guy Harvey brand became more successful, I traveled more in search of new angling and diving experiences. Conservation issues appeared on my radar screen and, as I spent a lot of time specializing in interactions with large oceanic fish, the predicament facing sharks, billfish and tunas became a priority. I learned that industrial fishing, such as long-lining and gill-netting indiscriminately, had a huge amount of by-catch or non-targeted species that were discarded.

Most offensive was the issue of shark-finning. This is a diabolical practice where sharks are caught, their fins removed and their bodies discarded overboard while still alive. So much abuse of marine species happens at sea, out of sight of the public.

What are the most pressing issues facing marine life today?

Overpopulation is the greatest threat. Many species of sharks, tuna, billfish, turtles, rays groupers, cod,

etc., have been over-extracted, and their recovery will take decades even if we stop today. This is a far greater threat than other issues, such as global warming. Substituting the protein we obtain from seafood consumption is one way to reduce our impact on marine species. Farming certain species is another option. The Guy Harvey Research Institute publishes a seafood guide to assist the public in making the best choices when consuming seafood.

There are certain types of seafood you refuse to serve at your restaurants.

Local species such as yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dolphin (mahi), snapper, rainbow runner are all served when available, as well as lobster and conch in season.

But certain fish species, including king mackerel, barracuda, amberjack and large groupers, can bioaccumulate certain toxins that can be poisonous to consumers. Other species have a high-mercury content that’s unacceptable for consumption. In the Cayman Islands, large reef fish are far more valuable as a living resource than they are as a filet. Reef fishing is incompatible with an active diving industry as the focal point of Cayman’s tourism sector.

What are some of the more intriguing things you’ve discovered through the GHRI’s work with Nova Southeastern University?

Shark research has been a priority because these animals face serious threats. Perhaps the most rewarding projects have come from long-term tracking of tiger sharks tagged in Bermuda, USVI, Bahamas and Grand Cayman. We also work on groupers, billfish and rays, and collaborate with a number of other fishery research institutions. My licensees all contribute funds and assist in the conservation effort. I’m very strong on Cause Marketing, and let all customers know that, in buying any Guy Harvey merchandise, they’re supporting marine conservation and education.

What can the average person can do to ensure the future health of our oceans?

I encourage people who fish to join a local angling club, a regional angling organization and a national conservation organization to stay informed and participate in the educational and conservation process.

I encourage anglers, divers and boaters to pursue their hobby responsibly, and obey laws governing bag limits, size limits, marine parks, etc.

What are your goals for the future?

There is a lot of work in marine conservation to be done. It’s a vast arena, and a task best attacked in collaboration with as many other like-minded institutions as possible. The more we collaborate and educate together, the better the result will be for the marine environment and, ultimately, for us all.

THE MOVES OF THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

MUSIC

BY MATT CONNER

T

GET UP, STAND UP

Seun Kuti Refuses To Give Up The Fight For Africa

BY BRET LOVE

S

EUN KUTI’S FATHER WAS NIGERIAN music legend Fela Kuti, a human rights activist, political maverick and creator of the Afrobeat sound (a fusion of jazz, funk, rock and traditional African music). From his discovery of the American Black Power movement in the late ‘60s until his death in 1997, Fela was the voice of rebellion against government oppression and military corruption in Nigeria.

Now, Fela’s youngest son Seun has taken up his father’s fight. The talented singer/saxophonist has been performing with his father’s former band, Egypt 80, since the age of 15. While his 2008 debut was impressive enough, Seun’s new album From Africa With Fury: Rise finds him fueled with sociopolitically charged invective, raging against the inequalities and unfair government practices of his homeland.

It was with great pleasure that I spoke to the 29-yearold Afrobeat phenom, covering topics ranging from his father’s enduring legacy to the changes he hopes to see in Africa’s future.

Your father was a legend. At what age did you decide you wanted to follow in his footsteps?

The desire to start playing music came very early in life.

The desire to start playing Afrobeat music, on the contrary, came much later. I’ve always known I wanted to play music. I was not one of these like Michael Jackson, who was like, “Ooh, my dad made me and I didn’t have a happy childhood, blah blah…” moaning, with all of his millions of dollars. I used to go on tour with my dad and watch him perform. My feeling was like, “This is what I want to do when I grow up!” There was nothing else for me but to play music. As a kid, it looks easy. My dad is up on stage jumping up and down, playing his music, doing what he likes to do and getting paid for it. How easy is that?! (Laughs) How did he respond? Did he encourage your interests?

After his show at the Apollo in 1991, I said to my dad, “I want to play music.” He asked, “Can you sing?” I said yes and he told me to sing a song. I sang a song and he said, “Ok, you’re not half bad. We’ve got to start you with a band.” So voila! I started with reggae, hip-hop and rock.

As a kid, I always knew that Afrobeat was not something for kids to make, because you have to dedicate your life to it. By the time I grew older, I realized that Afrobeat was my true love.

What were you able to learn about the craft from watching your dad?

I don’t study techniques for stage or choreograph dancing. To me, that’s not a show. Having crazy lights and people all over the place is just a distraction from how bad their singing or dancing really is. If you watch me, every move is spontaneous, coming from within me.

How did people respond when you took over leadership of your father’s band, Egypt 80?

I got some support, but not a lot. The fans wanted

to see their man. They kept comparing me to Fela and saying, “He’s not as good as his dad.” But it didn’t faze me much: Anybody comparing me to Fela when I was 15 was just dumb. They said, “It’s not good. He’s not writing his own songs.” Why should I be writing Afrobeat songs at 15? I was playing the sax and performing Fela covers well, but nobody could see this development.

Has there been any change in Nigerian politics since your heyday?

I think the government is becoming more susceptible to being toppled. Not because they want to, but because they have to please two masters– the military and the West. Look at all the heads of state in Africa: They were all once part of a military administration, they just took off their uniform and wore civilian clothes, but continue to do the biddings of the military commanders and the West. Democracy will make them susceptible to change, but change will come slowly. We play music so that Africans understand that it is everyone’s duty to want Africa to be better. We can ask for more. But we need more people saying the government is lying and not doing the right thing, more people wanting change for their children and their community.

What are the main messages you hope to convey with your new album, From Africa With Fury: Rise?

I think the second album is a bit more specific in the lyrics of each song. For me, my whole musical ideology is to educate people. If they listen to my album and find some truth in there that is meaningful and they want things to change, I’m satisfied. I talk about everything from slavery to revolution.

How do you feel you’ve grown since your first album was released?

Everyday, you’ve got to be better at what you do. I practice every day. Songwriting has a lot to do with hard work, confidence and talent. The more confident you are in your music, the better the music gets. I thank my fans all over the world for accepting my first album and urging me on. That gave me confidence, more fuel and more fire.

You’ve talked in the past about an artist’s power to effect change. What changes do you most want to see in your homeland?

The equality of man is important for me. When nobody thinks they are important just because they are lower status just by virtue of their birth, it’s very rough in Africa, because they are treated differently. Rich people in Africa can commit fraud, get $10 million and refuse to be arrested, and nothing happens. Things like that have to change. We need to have the same rules for everybody. I want people to pay for the suffering they’ve brought to Africa. In Africa, corporations sponsor the military– the same multinational companies you have in the United States– but in Africa they also control the government. The power of the government in Africa has never been with the people, but with the military, and the military is trained by the West. The multinationals are everywhere…

HE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS’ LATEST video tells a story -- albeit a fake one -- of a band enjoying the high life. And despite the absolute hilarity emerging from Tom Scharpling’s video for “Moves,” the band’s latest single from 2010’s Together, it’s easy to place The New Pornographers within such privileged territory.

The reality, however, is that Carl Newman and company have both employed and enjoyed the slow burn of success. There was a point where Dan Bejar wasn’t yet an indie rock icon in bands like Destroyer and Swan Lake. Neko Case had yet to turn into the most arresting solo female of the last 10 years. Newman wasn’t A.C. Newman, and Kathryn Calder was simply Newman’s niece without a musical release to her name. Simply put, The New Pornographers put in the time and earned every ounce of their success, all the while giving each other the freedom to creatively explore along the way.

Newman recently spoke with us about the few months of down time over the winter he’s enjoyed along with their long, steady ride with Matador Records.

You’ve had a lot of time at home these last few months before heading out on tour. Do you need to get away from it all when you get space like this?

When I get home, I start thinking about writing music again, so that’s what I’ve been doing over these last couple of months. Obviously, I try to enjoy the down time, but I’m also trying to write because I finally have some time to myself to do that. I’m always thinking about music and the band, but I try not to think about the business part of it, which can be the most draining part. It’s a necessary part of it, but I don’t want to deal with it.

That sounds like a statement from someone who had a career on the other side of the digital age.

It all depends. If you’re a person who’s fiercely independent and do it yourself, then you have to think about it more. But then if you’re one of those people who says, ‘I don’t want to think about this anymore. Someone else take care of it,’ you also have to be willing to pay 30 to 40 percent of what you make to your team of managers and lawyers who take care of you. So there’s a little bit of a balance you have to try and strike. We had no team for the longest time.

Our first record came out at the end of 2000 and we didn’t get a manager until mid-2006. So we were really flying blind for a long time.

When you were able to add a team of people around you, or even one manager, do you find that it allowed the art to move forward since you weren’t carrying the other aspects anymore?

I don’t know. I would hope the business would have no impact on your creativity.

When you all come back from these seasons of writing or doing your own thing -- certainly Dan

with Destroyer or Kathryn with her new solo record or Neko with everything she does -- do you come back full? Do you think there’s been a change with everyone being so busy?

I never really think of it in those terms. I don’t come at things too conceptually. It is good to have some time to take some time away to do your own thing and then come back together with the band.

It is good that you don’t feel as burnt out as if you were constantly doing the same things with the same band. So when we do get together to make another record, we’re definitely feeling a little more inspired.

Do you feel that way personally?

To a certain degree, yes. I remember when I did Slow Wonder, my first record, I went directions on that record that I hadn’t gone in before, and I really liked it so I took that with me into New Pornographers onto Twin Cinema and onward into Challengers.

Same with [2009’s] Get Guilty?

I think you could see where I was getting to go. I think a song like “Moves” is an offshoot of a direction I was beginning to explore in Get Guilty.

You’ve been trying to write right now? Is that New Pornographers stuff or AC Newman stuff?

I’m just writing right now, so I don’t know for sure what I will do with it. I think the songs tell you. For example, when I was writing Get Guilty, I would write a song and think, ‘This would be good for New Pornographers’ and put it aside.

Other times, it’s hard to tell. There’s a song like “Prophets” from Get Guilty and I look back and think, ‘Man, I should have put that on a New Pornographers record.’ To me it sounds like such a New Pornographers song, but that only comes with hindsight. So I’m never trying really hard to differentiate or compartmentalize AC Newman and New Pornographers. To me, it’s very much the same thing, because AC Newman is in the New Pornographers and he writes the songs in the band. Wait, I didn’t mean to talk about myself in the third person there.

I’d love to ask about the long-term relationship with Matador. It seems like a beautiful thing for the New Pornographers in being able to grow with a label, slowly establish an identity and see very tangible results of a slow build over time.

You’re always lucky if you can find a label that you’re friends with and they’re effective at what they do and they understand where you’re coming from. It’s always a good idea if you’re a young band to try and retain ownership or control over as much as possible. Try to own the albums. Try not to give away all of your publishing for really cheap. You will be better off in the long run.

EVERYDAY, YOU’VE GOT TO BE BETTER AT WHAT YOU DO. I PRACTICE EVERY DAY. SONGWRITING HAS A LOT TO DO WITH HARD WORK, CONFIDENCE AND TALENT. PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

travel

Charleston:

A Modern City With So Much History

by MarCi Miller

L

and and sea attacks, pirates, two wars, an earthquake, a hurricane and numerous fires could not dampen the spirits of this world class city…and we are not talking about a city located in the Middle east, asia or europe, its charleston, sc. Only a five hour drive from atlanta, this fabulous getaway is steeped with so much history dating back to the late 1600s when english settlers came to its shores. the city continued to flourish as a great port city and became known as a place of religious tolerance, called the Holy city for its numerous churches. By the mid-18th century charleston had become a bustling trade center, the hub of the atlantic trade for the southern colonies. the first shots of the civil War came from charleston’s Fort sumter, but the Union forces repeatedly bombarded the city, causing vast damage. and just as the city was rebounding from war, On august 31, 1886, charleston was nearly destroyed by an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. However, through it all, the people of charleston have managed to persevere and have gone on to restore their fine city, making it a top tourist destination and the 2nd most sought after wedding destination in the United states.

When you first enter charleston’s historic downtown, you can’t help but notice the beautiful architecture, the historic sites, museums and the plethora of fantastic restaurants and pubs! It’s also a busy city, 4 million visitors a year visit charleston. they come to see, experience, and learn about the history of this town. If you happen to be there on a Friday afternoon, the area is extremely hectic as that is when the carnival cruise ship “Fantasy” leaves port for a 5-night Bahamas & Bermuda cruise or 6 or 7-night eastern caribbean cruise.

Charleston’s MuseuM Mile (www. charlestonmuseummile.org) features the richest concentration of cultural sites open to visitors in downtown charleston. stroll the one-mile section of Meeting street and you will discover six museums, five nationally important historic houses, four scenic parks and a Revolutionary War powder magazine, as well as numerous historic houses of worship and public buildings including the Market and city Hall. Museums on the mile include the Charleston MuseuM, which has a great mix of southern history along with a fantastic natural history collection, Confederate MuseuM, Gibbes MuseuM of art, old slave Mart MuseuM and the old exChanGe and Provost dunGeon. the Provost dungeon is definitely worth a look. It played an important role in the history of charleston during the Revolutionary War. Barrel vaulted ceiling and columns provide a structurally sound foundation for the upper floors of the Old exchange, but also created an oppressive space in which the British detained prominent charlestonians who were accused of giving intelligence to americans during the Revolutionary war. away from the museum mile, make sure to visit the south Carolina aquariuM (www.scaquarium.org). Located on the charleston Harbor, the aquarium features 5,000-6,000 amazing aquatic animals from river otters and sharks to loggerhead turtles PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

including 47 exhibits with animals. the exhibit path leads visitors through the five major regions of the southeast appalachian Watershed as found in south carolina: the Mountains, the Piedmont, the coastal Plain, the coast, and the Ocean. Interactive exhibits at the aquarium include the new Feed the Rays experience and renovated salt Marsh aviary, toddler cove, the albino alligator and several education stations.

after one hour at the Fort, visitors will cruise back to port.

a great way to see and experience charleston is on a carriage tour. the old south CarriaGe CoMPany (www. oldsouthcarriagetours) is a perfect choice. all of Old south’s surrey-style carriages feature ample seating and use Percheron & Belgian draft horses, which can easily drag 3 times their own weight on skids. a one hour charleston carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of the historic downtown. the tour stops by numerous churches, hotels (including the Mills Hotel which Robert e. Lee is credited for saving from fire), historical houses, the Battery waterfront and much more! there are also numerous walking tours of the city available, visit charleston strolls (www. charlestonstrolls.com) for more information.

fort suMter is a historical landmark that has withstood the test of time. the fort stands in the charleston harbor, and, is accessible by boat only. confederate gunfire opened on the fort on april 12, 1861 which initiated the first battle of the civil War. fort suMter tours provides the only commercial boat transportation to Fort sumter. they have two locations from which you can depart: Liberty square in downtown charleston, or in Mt. Pleasant at the Patriots Point Maritime Museum. after boarding, visitors will experience a 30 minute cruise through charleston’s historic harbor out to Fort sumter. the tour is fully narrated and explains many points of interest and historic significance. at Fort sumter national Park, historians will provide detailed information about Fort sumter and its pivotal role in the war between the states.

offers delicious shrimp, scallop, crab, and oyster dishes, prepared any way you like. If you are looking for a non-fish option, the smoke pulled chicken sandwich is a great choice and comes with seasoned French fries. the bbq sauce is sweet and tangy and the fries are crispy and delicious. It’s a great place to hang out, grab a beer and watch a game on one of their many big screen tVs. the average menu price ranges from $5.99 to $19.99 making a.W. shuck’s an affordable option for lunch and dinner.

another popular attraction is the uss yorktown housed at the Patriots Point

naval & Maritime Museum. this naval ship participated significantly in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. Yorktown received the Presidential Unit citation and earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. Patriots Point naval & MaritiMe MuseuM is also home to the Uss Laffey, priceless war planes used during wars and conflicts spanning from WWII to desert storm and the congressional Medal of Honor society and their official Medal of Honor Museum with tons of interactive exhibits.

When in a coastal town like charleston, one can’t help but crave seafood and there are plenty of restaurants in the city ready to fit the bill. a.w. shuCks ( 35 s. Market street, charleston, sc 29401, 843.723.1151, www.a-w-shucks.com) is know for its awardwinning stuffed shrimp entrée, shrimp stuffed with carolina deviled crab, wrapped in bacon and deep fried and its she-crab soup, a creamy blend of blue crabmeat and roe and seasoned with sherry. there’s the popular raw bar which serves pails of steamed oysters year-round and shuck’s also

another great choice is GilliGan’s seafood restaurants (www.gilligans.

net) which serves fresh seafood in a family friendly, casual atmosphere. With 9 locations in charleston, Gilligan’s is committed to supporting local shrimpers by serving 100% domestic wild-caught shrimp in all of their locations. their menu has also received a Platinum Partner certification based on the sustainability of their seafood. start your meal with Oysters-on-the-Half-shell raw or steamed….other fresh fish served daily include shrimp, scallops, crab, tuna and more. specials at Gilligan’s include their famous Lowcountry stir-Fry with grilled shrimp, sausage, and shredded cabbage seasoned with mild cajun spices, served over a bed of red rice with fried okra. and don’t forget Gilligan’s famous hushpuppies, red rice, and roasted baby bakers potatoes.

Gilligan’s is now offering a “create your own” 3 course meal for only $20 at all of their locations and all-You-can-eat domestic Fried shrimp (all locations) for $18.95 per person, including two sides.

Offering charleston’s largest selection of wines by the glass, soCial restaurant + wine bar (188 east Bay street, 843.723.1151, www.socialwinebar.com) has become the preeminent wine bar of charleston. social features a stunning four-thousand bottle display cellar, where numerous exclusive wines are stored. complementing its extensive wine selection,

which features your choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert served with special parings of wine. after dinner, make sure to tour the Wentworth mansion, a 5 diamond property featuring 21 luxurious rooms and suites. a “must see” is the cupelo located at the top of the mansion. a cupelo is a dome-like structure that gives a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. the views out of the cupelo were amazing and a great way to see the city’s skyline.

social serves modern american cuisine with an authentic wood-burning oven as its focal point. a native charlestonian, owner Brad Ball grew up in the restaurant industry, with his family owning six different restaurants in the area, including the well-known Poogan’s Porch. Ball opened social opened in 2007 and has received much acclaim. the menu specializes in small & large plates, pizzas, sliders, salads and more. their outstanding appetizers include their spinach, artichoke & roasted tomato dip with toasted pita…the flavors are unique and the spinach is fresh and not wilted like most dips. known for their pizzas, social’s unique eggplant pizza is served with mixed greens w/balsamic dressing on top of the pie. the sliders do not disappoint and the asian braised pork shoulder was a mix of spicy pork and juicy pineapple, served on a large roll. the ale braised short rib is also a recommended dish and literally melts in the mouth. social also offers a pre-fixe menu which features a 3 course meal for $15 or $25 with wine pairings… this includes an appetizer, main dish and dessert. In addition, social also features a $3 Happy Hour Menu…$3 for a wine, beer and premium well liquor drinks and $3 for appetizers.

CirCa 1886 , (149 Wentworth street, charleston, 843. 853.7828, www.circa1886. com) a fine dining restaurant, is located on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion in downtown historic charleston. the restaurant serves a seasonal menu with a focus on local product, high quality ingredients and southern flavors. executive chef Marc collins puts his own forwardthinking spin on traditional Lowcountry dishes. the menu consists of an array of appetizers, main dishes and homemade desserts. two great ways to start your meal is with the arugala salad with sun-dried peaches, candied pistachios, feta and the chilled american lobster panna cotta, served with spiced pineapple relish. Main meals feature meats, fish, chicken and game. the seared red maple farms beef tenderloin is served with parsnip potato puree & wild mushroom ragout and a great alternative to a traditional meat dish is the antelope loin, which is brined in coffee and served with grapes, pine nuts and pearl onion in an orange saba glaze. You must leave room for dessert served with unique ice cream flavors like cheddar cheese. the chocolate truffle soufflé is served with godiva anglaise and chocolate sorbet and don’t miss the warm banana chocolate chip pecan cake served with spiced brown n’ sugar orange ice cream. ask about a special tasting menu

local

The PuPPeT MasTer

Kathryn Kolb, courtesy of center for Puppetry arts

tucked away in a small strip center in downtown charleston, dixie suPPly bakery & Café (62 state street, charleston, 843.722.5650, www. dixiecafecharleston.com) is a hidden gem. they serve homemade, heartwarming goodies including stone-ground grits, omelets, stuffed french toast, and pancakes for breakfast. the lunch menu includes the classic shrimp & grits, the dixie burger or the daily blue plate specials. executive chef Patrick Woodham and his wife Miranda, met in culinary school in nearby summerville and joined forces with the café owners allen and kris Holmes and have taken generations of Holmes’ family recipes to the next level while maintaining the mission, “Fine southern Food for a Reasonable Price.” the feel of the café is casual…regulars bring their own mugs and you can’t help but feel you are sitting amongst family. the food is incredible… the heirloom tomato pie is filled with fresh tomato, basil and cheese. the banana bread French toast is thick and sweet and topped with whipped cream and a special made corned beef hash topped with an over easy egg is just right for a sunday Morning. Put this café on your list of places to eat when visiting charleston!

If you are looking for an affordable and convenient place to stay, the

Courtyard Charleston historiC distriCt hotel is just

steps away from all the action in downtown charlestown. the hotel is a fantastic location for business and leisure and boasts 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting space. the rooms are modern, bright and spacious. the Bistro located in the lobby offers healthy options, cocktails and starbucks coffee.

Finally, chief concierge, kevin McQuade is one of the city’s best and helps all guests make the most out of their stay in charleston. so, put charleston, sc on your list of vacation destinations. It’s the perfect mix of old and new. You’ll feel as if you have been transported back to another time, while still enjoying all the amenities of a modern city.

Center for Puppetry Arts creative director, Jon Ludwig Sits Down with INsite

By Marci Miller

C

enter for PuPPetry Arts creative director, Jon Ludwig, started at the center in 1978 when he answered an ad that read, “Puppeteer Wanted, Will train”. He was doing construction work at the time and thought he would give puppetry a try. Jon attended a World Puppet festival two years later and that clinched it for him. There he saw performers from all over the world, the very best and it amazed him, the scope of the art form. since then, he has written, produced numerous productions at the Center and continues to perfect the craft he learned over 30 years ago. We recently spoke to Jon about this unique Atlanta institution.

The productions at the Center for Puppetry Arts are so original, what has been your inspiration in creating some of them? you always want to connect with the audience and the performers; you try to take them on a journey.

With puppetry you create this entire world and all the characters too…and I really love that part.

Are there other puppet centers like this one in the United States? nothing is as big or as diversified as we are…there is a group out of seattle, the Carter family Marionettes, they have their institution. There is one in Boston called the Puppet showplace, and one in florida too… but this is the largest in the us. But part of our mission is to also bring puppetry from all over, not to just produce our own, but to bring in really great acts.

A favorite part of your puppet shows is when the puppeteers come out at the end and describe the techniques that they used, how do you decide which ones to use in a production?

I like to use them all…and it really depends on what style tells the story the best way. A lot of times when we are adapting a story we have to figure out how are we going to do this, what form…is it better served by a marionette, is it better served by a shadow puppet?

What style are we going to build this in? What kind of story? That is a big issue.

How long does it take to come up with one of your original productions?

It takes about a year from start to finish…getting the script together, researching it, design, build and rehearsing.

Tell us about your current show, Beauty and Beast.

We first did it in ’95. It’s gone through many versions, but it’s always been

done with objects. Disney had just come out with their version, and we didn’t want to do something exactly like that. so, it’s true to the original story, but it’s just in a different setting altogether. We get to take a classy fairytale and do something different.

Are the puppeteers that work at the center from Atlanta or do they come from all over the country?

They come from all over, but some are local actors, that have trained to be puppeteers…a lot of them come from the university of Connecticut puppet program, we have a lot of people at the Center from there.

Do you prefer working on the kids or the grown up productions?

They are slightly different from each other. The kids’ productions are more cut and dry. Kids know what is right, they know what is wrong and they want to be reinforced with those values. When you are dealing with adults, you get into more of the grey areas…with adults its slower, it takes longer to explain it.

With all the cuts in the arts, how can Atlantans make sure that Puppetry Arts stays vibrant and continues on?

Becoming a member, is a good way, plus you get all these benefits. you could make a donation or attending a show is fantastic. If you like the show, tell somebody who hasn’t been here. Word of mouth is one of the strongest things in Atlanta. We get people all the time who have lived here their whole lives and say, “Wow, I didn’t know you were here.!”

Well, we’re glad you found us!

What can we expect to see next at the Center?

We are currently working on an adaptation of Bluebeard with the Ghastly Dreadfuls, our adult Halloween show. Coming up, we also have “ruth and the Green Book” by Calvin ramsey, a fantastic author and the book is getting all kinds of recognition. It’s about African Americans traveling through the south during the Jim Crow era and there is this book, “The negro Motorist Green Book: An International travel Guide” that tells all the places that African Americans could get goods and services, because they wouldn’t be served at whiteowned businesses. We are adapting that for middle school and we’re planning on having a talk back session afterwards about Civil rights and segregation.

Visit the Center for Puppetry Arts website, www.puppet.org to see a complete schedule of their upcoming shows.

PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

FILM

THE BIG DANCE

MAKING THE GRADE

By MarcI MILLer

By Bret Love

De’Vaughn Nixon and Kylie Bunbury Talk About Their Roles in the New Film Prom

i

J

ust hearing the word prom evokes so many memories of that one big night, the highlight of any teenager’s high school career. and of course, there is always drama swirling around that big date, “who to go with?”, “what to wear?”, “who will be crowned prom king and queen?” well all that and more can be found in disney’s new movie, “prom”! in “prom”, several intersecting stories unfold at one high school as the dance approaches; “prom” portrays the precarious passage from high school to independence as some relationships unravel and others ignite.

There are hundreds of nights in high school, but there’s only one “prom.” we recently had the chance to sit down with two of the stars of “prom”, de’Vaughn nixon who plays tyler Barso, the school’s all star athlete and resident bad boy and Kylie Bunbury, his long term girlfriend, Jordan Lundley.

f You’re an american and You’re unfamiliar with Justin chadwick, you’ll be forgiven: For the majority of his 20-year career, the manchester native been doing critically acclaimed work for the BBc. he garnered some measure of hollywood acclaim in 2008 for The other Boleyn girl, a period drama featuring a-listers like eric Bana, scarlett Johansson and natalie portman. now he’s returned to the u.s. with The First grader, based on the true story of an 84-year-old Kenyan villager (and former freedom fighter) who tries to go to school for the first time in hopes of getting the education he could never afford as a child. we recently spoke with the 42-year-old actorturned-director about his film festival favorite.

What was it about the story of The First Grader that made it an attractive project for you?

The story felt uplifting and inspiring, following one man’s belief in never giving up. The BBc gave me the chance to make this film in Kenya, with a largely Kenyan crew and cast, in a remote part of the rift valley, in a way that was true to maruge’s story. They gave me real freedom and that was what attracted me most, as i knew i could make the film i wanted to and believed in.

Why will kids like the movie?

K: i think there are so many different characters which they can relate to, because they either know one of those characters or they are one those characters. it’s also something kids have grown up knowing about. prom is something they are looking forward to. it’s that last big event. d: i remember when i was in elementary school; i couldn’t wait to be old. so, i always looked up to the seniors and the high schoolers because i always thought, “Yeah, prom”, and kids want to know what it’s like and this movie lets them experience that.

Why will moms like it?

K: For a mom, you don’t want toxic things in your children’s ears, obviously you know about the negatives of prom, but moms will like that the movie focuses on the positive aspects and also touches on things that are important to know about in high school, like my character Jordan, who focuses on her independence. d: and i play the antagonist tyler Barso, so i am sort of the villain in this movie, but there is a lesson to be taught in that…

K: The message is what the moms are going like… d: exactly, and each character has one that you can pull away from. so if a kid identifies with one character they are going to get something out of that character.

You filmed on location in Kenya, which I’ve always dreamed of visiting. What were your impressions of the country?

Beautiful and unexpected. There was this amazing energy and an open generous spirit with everyone we met. i love Kenya and cannot wait to go back.

in downtown Los angeles, so it was nice. it wasn’t as extravagant as the one in disney’s prom, but yeah it was good. i had a great time with friends and i have pictures to show for the rest of my life.

What was it like to be part of a big Disney production? d: it was so much fun.

K: especially for me. This was my first film so i had never experienced all the cameras and all the cuts and all that kind of stuff. and it was really exciting to be a part of a disney production, which is clearly a big dog. d: it was truly a great experience and everyone was so young and happy and for a lot of the actors, like Kylie, it was their first film, so it was real refreshing.

De’Vaughn, In the movie, you play the bad boy, what was it like to be the villain? d: it was definitely fun because i think people will walk away from the movie remembering my character and you know it’s cool not to be liked. i just hope a bunch of kids don’t kick me in my knees and my shins when they see me in real life. it was good because i know you did my job if you didn’t like me. it was fun for me to do because in real life i’m a nice guy, can’t you tell? and the lesson you can learn from tyler Barso is that you can’t have your cake and eat it too…

When you were offered these roles, did you think you were going to have to sing and dance?

K: That was the first question i asked… and right off the bat, director Joe nussbaum let us know that he wanted everything to be authentic and organic and with real emotions so that is what we were focusing on. d: and the buzz building up to this movie made it seem like it was going to be in light of high school musical, but its not, its completely different.

Kylie, I think young girls are going to really look up to your character. How do you feel about playing such a great role model for girls?

K: That was one of the great things about the character when i read it; she wasn’t doing what was stereotypical for a girl to do in that situation, which is cater to a guys needs. and it shows that you can be confident, independent and succeed by yourself… i think the confidence factor for me is essential to show girls and evoke that.

De’Vaughn, you’ve been working since you were a little boy, in movies like “Terminator 2”, TV shows like “Fresh Prince of Bellaire”…did you have a regular high school experience and did you get a chance to go to your prom? d: i did….i went to high school, i went to college, i did all that stuff. so, i enjoyed my prom, i went with a really good friend of mine…we did the traditional, pre-prom events,- “take the pictures with the parents, limo with friends”. my prom was at the Biltmore hotel

What is next for each of you? d: after prom was done, i went back to the show “The hard times of rJ Berger” on mtV, i have a recurring character on that. This month, my character is reintroduced. i just shot a film called now, which stars Justin timberlake….a really small part, but after prom comes out, it will register…

K: i just got done filming a comedy called “The sitter” and i play Jonah hill’s love interest…its really funny, really great.

PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

Director Justin Chadwick Goes From Scarlett Johansson & Natalie Portman To The Wilds of Africa

What are the rewards and challenges of directing a project that’s based on a true story? Do you feel more of an obligation to “get it right,” or do you allow yourself to take artistic liberties in pursuit of a good story? i spent time with maruge before he sadly passed and time in the country before we started filming. i listened to the stories and i traveled. i learned a lot about the country from this time and stories emerged by word of mouth. some of the music in the film came directly from the camps in the ‘50s from a musician i was working with who asked his grandmother about her experiences. once prepping for the film, i went to the school every day and taught and played with the children.

That was the most inspiring time for me. The children were maasi and Kikuyu children who had never seen a movie or a tV and were the most amazingly bright children who had this real thirst for knowledge and education. i learned a lot from the children and crafted the script to them.

In the flashbacks, you delve into Kenya’s sociopolitical history during the era of British colonialism. As an

Englishman, was that difficult for you? i knew that there was a shameful British colonial past in many parts of the world, but it was the scale of the brutality that was shocking to me in Kenya, and the fact that this past had been buried. i knew nothing of this, as many of the records had been destroyed and this is not a history we learn about in school. The Kenyan crew knew nothing of this history either– after independence, everyone had been encouraged to move on and forget the past. First hand stories began to emerge from parents and grandparents of the crew members and team we were working with. i managed to find images and footage from the period.

Those sequences were some of the hardest to shoot, as those were real villages basically untouched since the fifties with many of the villagers remembered that time. You can see the history and experience in the eyes of the people. i tried to be true to maruge and his experience.

With The Other Boleyn Girl, you were dealing with internationally-known movie stars. Is there any difference creating a film in which the actors aren’t as well-known? not really. i was working in the main with non actors but the process is similar. every actor has different needs, everyone one needs support, guidance and trust. i decided not to cast the children from all over but to use one whole school. everyone was welcome to be part of the film. in the end the whole village community got involved and had parts in the film. as a director its my job to create an environment where everyone is clear and know what they are doing. its also my job to capture the truth of performance. i hate to see ‘acting’. with the children in the film i had to be quick as they would get bored and want to get on with the next thing.

I’m a huge National Geographic fan. Why were they a good fit to release The First Grader? my dad subscribed to nat geo when i was a child, so the yellow picture frame logo has always been there.

For them to be part of the film is a huge honor for me.

They are in sync with the ethos and spirit of the film.

From the very first showing of the film, they supported and loved it and were passionate. That means everything to me.

What lessons do you hope Maruge’s story will impart upon audiences? cinema audiences respond to the emotion of the story. The film makes people laugh and cry and takes them on an uplifting journey. This is a man that never gave up, never gave up his desire to learn. although there are hard hitting issues, this is a film for audiences to enjoy.

cIneMa audIences respond to the eMotIon oF the story. the FILM Makes peopLe Laugh and cry and takes theM on an upLIFtIng journey. thIs Is a Man that never gave up, never gave up hIs desIre to Learn.

MUSIC

ENJOYING THE SLOW BURN Freelance Whales enjoy a slow, steady ascent of success

BY MATT CONNER

I

T’S DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANYTHING stick in this digital music era, but somehow Freelance Whales have sustained their brand of organic/electronic folk structures. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when Twitter, Starbucks and Chevrolet are all calling for commercial usage, but Chuck Criss says it’s been an ongoing slow build for the last two years and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The five NYC residents continue to tour and Criss says he doesn’t know when they’ll stop given the new Starbucks placement. When they do get some space, they’re nearly ready to record their follow-up already -- one which Criss says will be more dynamic and expansive. Yet as long as new audiences find them, they’re happy to play Weathervanes again and again, knowing how fortunate they are to have something that sticks in a culture where a band is so easily forgotten.

Chuck, I’d love to start with what you’ve been up to while at home? Are you ready to move on from Weathervanes?

We’ve been writing a lot and just getting a lot of ideas together for our next record. We’re really just trying to figure out what kind of record we want to make and how we want to make it. We’ve all been busy getting together a lot of ammo and those sorts of small ideas. Sometime after this spring tour, we’ll make our next record. So we’ve been doing that, but we’ve also been catching up with family and friends and watering our plants. I’m walking my dog right now actually. [Laughs]

So there’s this band summit of sorts after you are finished with the tour?

Exactly. Right now, we’re getting those ideas together and then we’ll do it in this isolated setting and get out of the city a bit. Right now, it’s just relaxing, sleeping in for a change and just that sort of thing.

From an outside perspective, it seems that Weathervanes has really enjoyed a sustained successful run over the last year, when most new music is forgotten in a month. Do you see it that way from the inside?

Yeah, we knew when we recorded it that we definitely had a little bit of traction to it. We felt like we’d recorded a pretty good album where each individual song was something that people could find individual meanings for. But we really didn’t know what to expect. We got a couple of great commercial opportunities that were just wonderful for sustaining the band. They’re also companies that we would agree with. I mean, we got to be involved with the first commercial for an electric car for Chevy and we did a Twitter commercial. Then most recently, Starbucks approached us and that’s another company that’s all about ethical treatment of their workers. It’s been really nice that we have the right kind of people supporting us more than anything.

How did that Starbucks ad come about? Is there a story there?

I don’t know if there’s a real story. They just approached us and had seen the Twitter commercial that wasn’t on TV but it was online. They used the same song, “Generator ^ First Floor.” They liked

it and asked us and we said yes. It’s that easy. But we’re excited about it. They’ve not only put the song on, but they’ve been very supportive of the band. They’ve been working with iTunes and putting up “Generator ^ First Floor” on iTunes.

There’s a great cohesive quality to the mix, too, not just the individual songs like you mentioned.

Was that important?

The biggest thing is that we’re big fans of not just songs but having a cohesive album. We wanted the songs to really inform each other both lyrically and musically. They’re all written around the same time, so that’s why there’s that cohesiveness to it. It’s cool that we were able to put it all together and that’s great that you latched onto that.

How have the songs changed once you’ve played them out?

The songs were recorded and written simultaneously while the band was being formed. We had to make a lot of adjustments on the record that we

couldn’t do live. For example, there’s a lot of banjo on the record. That’s a very delicate instrument and you have to replace that on stage to give it more body. But I think the process of the live show will inform the next record. The next record is being written with that in mind, because we know we have to tour these songs.

That jump is a large on for a lot of artists I’ve spoken with, where they say that knowing that there’s an actual audience waiting for the album really changes the mood in the studio. Do you lose some innocence in that process?

There might be a little bit of innocence lost, but it’s for the better. It’s all part of an artist’s growth. It’s really important for anybody to take a step forward on the record. I mean, it’d be really easy to make Weathervanes II, but we want to push ourselves, try new things and new spaces. I guess there’s a little bit of pressure, but it’s something that we actually look forward to taking it on.

THE ANTLERS LIGHTEN UP

The heaviness of Hospice is gone on the band’s second album

BY MATT CONNER

P

ETER SILBERMAN AND THE REST OF ANTLERS ARE ready to lighten up a bit after the heaviness of their Frenchkiss debut, Hospice. Given the tremendous critical response, I doubt anyone outside of the band was complaining. Yet Silberman, the band’s principal songwriter on Hospice, insists they’ve been painted with a bleak brush, so hopes are that Burst Apart brings a bit brighter outlook and feeling to the band’s associations.

This time around, the concept is thrown out in favor of following the songs. The mood is a bit lighter, the band’s a bit more thankful and Frenchkiss is settling in as a possible long-term home. What hasn’t changed, however, is the Antlers ability to craft a great album.

I want to go back to the signing with Frenchkiss, because I know Hospice was released independently and then again via the label. What did that signing mean to the band? Was that a huge sigh of relief?

When we met Frenchkiss, we were making our own CDs of Hospice. We had stickers printed up and blank digi-paks and burning CD-Rs and stapling together lyric booklets. We had an assembly line

doing this while taking orders through PayPal, and then we’d send the CDs out ourselves. So when we met Frenchkiss and we were looking for somebody like them to be aligned to our career, most immediately for us was just to have some help. We were touring during all of this so it just made things impossible. Over time it was just a gradual transition of them handling things that they know how to do, such as releasing a record and then getting it into stores and just all of that.

It’s also about acting as a home for us where we can release future records and things like that. It’s having a system of support while we go and tour.

Did Frenchkiss tell you why they were bringing you on board or what they saw in you?

It was a long time ago, and I don’t remember exactly what they were saying. I think the general feeling with everyone that we began to work with was that everyone just wanted to get this record out to as many people as possible. That was the goal.

Were there other suitors?

There were some other people we were talking to, but Frenchkiss was what we wanted to go with.

weird way, life affirming more than anything. I think we wanted to share that and we wanted people to hear it. It wasn’t for the sake of us becoming successful. Obviously, we wanted that to happen as well, but it was really about the message of the record with Hospice. The more people we could get it out to, the more we could bond over it.

That’s what ended up happening.

You mention that message and I wanted to ask about that. You have this concept record that’s very focused with Hospice, so do you aim for that again? Do you try the opposite?

Going into writing the record, I was expecting to make another concept record, even though I didn’t really know if I wanted to. By the time it came to recording and writing it as opposed to planning it for a couple of years, the more we let it write itself. It was a record that decided what it was going to be on its own, and the more that happened, the happier I was with it. I was still writing lyrics up until the point we finished recording. I was still changing my mind about the lyrics and vocals without a storyline in mind. It was just a collection of songs that loosely do have a story running throughout them, but it’s less about that story and more of a feeling.

What were you looking for in a label if there were a few options?

We were looking for a label that was putting out music that we liked, and that seemed like they had a grasp on how to release records in indie rock in the face of a very much changing industry. Frenchkiss was that label. It also felt personable and human, and that was important to us also.

Is that the hardest part of this for you -- to relax and enjoy this journey?

It’s not so much of a struggle as it is a goal of something to do more and more. Hospice was just so dark and heavy, that even at our most joyous times, I think there was always a bit of a dark cloud over it because of the nature of the record. We were also painted as very serious and depressed people, and that’s not the case. I think we’re the opposite. I think we’re happy about where we are and that we get to make music for a living. I get to travel and see the world, and we’re very happy for that.

When you were in those independent days, did you believe the songs on Hospice deserved a wider audience? Was that tension a part of it?

More than other records I’d ever worked on, there was a sense of camaraderie in the beginning. I think the message of Hospice was, in a

So how does that manifest on Burst Apart?

I think Burst Apart is a bit more free. It’s very beat heavy and it’s rhythmic and it has a flow and a groove to it. These are words I hate using, but I haven’t figured out yet better words to use. [Laughs] But it’s less of a wall of sound and extreme dramatic moments, and it’s more about mood and texture. That’s what keeps me really enjoying listening to it.

PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

FILM

SCREAM 4 David Arquette, Neve Campbell & Courteney Cox Reunite For Wes Craven’s Horror Franchise

By ALex S. MorrISon

I

t was almost exactly 15 years ago when we first met the cast of scream, a low-budget horror film from director wes craven featuring a largely unknown cast. courteney cox was just starting to make a name for herself on a burgeoning tV show called Friends (which was only 2 seasons into its run), neve campbell was trying to break out after Party of Five, and nobody knew who David arquette, skeet Ulrich or matthew lillard were. these days, scream is considered a classic that reinvented the horror film genre, grossing over $100 million (and many times that in rentals and DVD sales) and making stars of its cast members (particularly Drew Barrymore). the franchise has dipped in quality considerably over time, but the latest sequel hopes to renew interest in the story of campbell’s sydney Prescott after an 11-year break, bringing in a younger cast that includes anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, emma roberts and hayden Panetierre. arquetta, campbell and cox recently sat down for a press conference to promote the film, discussing what it was like to return to their familiar characters after more than a decade.

Neve, was it easy to get back into character after all this time? neVe camPBell: yeah. It’s been 15 years now that we’ve been doing these characters, so it was not difficult to jump into. I had fun watching the films again, before we started this, just to get a sense of it. It was really nice to see that they still held up really well. But, no, it wasn’t difficult to get into character. with sidney, it’s just imagining her circumstances and doing it.

Courteney, did playing a journalist give you a new point of view of journalists? coUrteney cox: well, I’m playing a different kind of journalist. It’s more about gale wanted her own fame, and she always did. so, 10 years later, when the murders start happening again, she just wants to get really involved so that she can write her book and become more famous. she has a one-track mind. I like playing someone who’s so selfish. It’s fun, but it’s a different kind of journalism. It’s really about fame for her, and a lot of it. she does want to tell the truth and get it out there, but she’s pretty silly, in some ways.

What are the challenges in bringing this story to a newer audience now?

DaVID arQUette: we’ve done these films for 15 years, and we’ve all made connections. this fourth film is bringing the first one back to life and having fun with it. there’s been 10 years, since the last one, with different horror films in between and changes in technology. It’s just really exciting. with the new cast coming to this, it was really interesting to see because they were reflections of us, when we first got there. It really brings an electricity with this, that I felt on the first film. I think that people now are going to discover the old films. I was talking to my friend’s girlfriend the other day, and she was nine when she snuck in to see the first scream. she’s horrified of horror movies now, and she can’t even see this one. now, she’s a 20-somethingyear-old woman. It’s so wild, the way time flies.

Wes Craven has a real gift for keeping his films scary and fun in sequels, which is really rare in horror films. What do you think the secret ingredient is, that makes his movies so consistently scary? cox: he’s an amazing filmmaker. he’s made four of these particular films now, and he’s always watching. he’s so current on everything. I don’t even know what myspace is, but he’s watching learning. he’s constantly bettering himself and his mind. and, the way he directs ghostface, and the way he has him tilt his head, is so eerie. there’s something about wes. he’s like a choreographer, when it comes to ghostface. he’s just a great director. camPBell: It’s about shots, timing and music. marco [Beltrami] has done the music for all of the films. wes

PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

found him on the Internet, and he’s now become this phenomenal composer who’s very successful. wes has a really great eye and ear, and taste in people, with the casting, writing and all the people who get involved in the film. he’s also just phenomenal with timing, humor and scaring people. arQUette: he actually made a swinging houseplant very scary in this film. that takes incredible talent.

With a film like this, how do you take the darkness off when you’re done? cox: you take a hot shower. camPBell: we were having fun during the film. we would often just go have dinner and have a nice glass of wine and have some laughs. even during it, you’re not feeling like it’s this really intense or dark experience because there’s a lot of humor in these films, as well. you can’t take them incredibly seriously. Part of the fun of these is that they’re self-referential and they make fun of themselves. cox: If it was like a devil-possessed kind of movie, I probably wouldn’t do it because I’d be so scared. with this, you just need to get the corn syrup off and hope that someone’s ready to hang out.

In watching horror films, when you get to the scary part, are your eyes fully open or partially closed, and are you a screamer? cox: the last two. arQUette: I just get a kick out of watching the audience. I love when you go to a horror film with real horror fans and everybody’s there watching, getting involved and screaming. that’s when it’s most alive and exciting for me. wes brings that out in these films. camPBell: these films are a roller coaster ride. I think they’re great fun to watch. I usually cover my eyes and

there’S A Lot oF huMor In theSe FILMS, AS weLL. you cAn’t tAke theM IncredIBLy SerIouSLy. PArt oF the Fun oF theSe IS thAt they’re SeLFreFerentIAL And they MAke Fun oF theMSeLveS. scream and cry during horror films. But, these films are just great fun.

The movie touches upon the theme of celebrity, how people perceive it and what people do to achieve it. How do you think the definition of celebrity has changed over the years, and how do you think the public sees the life of a celebrity? camPBell: It’s definitely shifted, with reality television.

It’s much easier for people to become famous nowadays, and not for a whole lot of anything. I think the mentality has definitely changed, and that’s a bit sad, but it is what it is. People love reality television, and we love the gossip magazines. maybe because there isn’t a royal family here, and we’re not too impressed with our politicians, we look for other things to look up to. whether that’s healthy or not, I don’t know, but it’s definitely switched.

What was it like for you guys, as the original cast, to work with the new cast for this film? camPBell: It was great! courteney and I looked at each other and were like, “we could be their mothers!” cox: I could be their grandmother! camPBell: But they were good. they came to the project with so much enthusiasm. People keep asking whether we had to show them the ropes, but they’re professionals in their own rights. they’ve had long careers already, at young ages, and they came in and they did a great job.

SPORTS

This Twin Towers

Minnesota star Justin Morneau Talks Concussions, Cooking & the Crazy-Long Major League Baseball sSeason

By DeMaRcO WilliaMS

t

If you can, share with me a few of your offseason highlights. What have you done exciting so far?

Just trying to get better. We went over…Wait, as far as a workout goes, or as far as just anything?

Oh, just anything.

[My wife Krista and I] had a trip over to London.

We had a wedding over there. We were over there for about a week. We had a baby girl [evelyn on september 23]. It’s pretty much just been that.

That’s been a lot of fun.

Congratulations on that.

Thank you.

Now, in terms of getting your body ready for the new season and whatnot, what kind of things have you been doing?

Well, normally, you usually take about a month off [after a season ends] and then slowly get back into it. try to heal up all the old injuries and usually when the [new year hits, it’s] kind of when we ramp it up and start doing a lot more agilitytype stuff, a lot more running and try to get the legs ready. During the offseason, just try to build strength and build stamina so that you are ready to get your 162 games in. It’s a combination of everything. Usually, you try to stay pretty balanced.

With everything that comes with rehab from a concussion or just a grueling season in general, I know sometimes you don’t really feel like working out meeting a trainer. How do you stay motivated when you don’t really feel like doing?

(Laughter) That’s a game you kind of play with yourself. That’s tough. There are days when you’d rather not do it, but you know in the long run, in august and september, it’s gonna pay off. That’s kind of what keeps you going. you realize, if you put the work in early, it’s going to pay off later— and also, hopefully, in October. you want to be a playoff team and you want to be strong all the way through the end of October. you want to be prepared for that. you just kind of look at it and think big picture and long-term and that kind of thing, and realize that it is up to you. you’ve got to push yourself as much as you need to be able to push yourself.

• nightmares, trouble sleeping • easily agitated or startled • low energy, changes in appetite • memory problems, difficulty focusing • avoid places, activities or people Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event suffer from the above symptoms of stress. If left untreated, it can impair the ability to work, socialize and function in a healthy relationship.

I’m pretty sure those cool Reebok Zig sneakers sure help out on the job too. they make it easier, you know. I think the way they are set up, the way your foot hits the ground, it makes it easier to run. For someone who is not fast or not a very big fan of running, they make it easier to be able to do it. you know, you get out there and you’re not that motivated, you don’t feel that motivated, [my shoes] make it easier to do that.

Emory University is investigating the effects of early intervention in preventing posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you are a Veteran who have returned from the war within the last 6 years and have any of these symptoms, you may qualify for the study. Please call to obtain more information about the study and to see how you can help Emory understand the effects of stress on the brain and PTSD.

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

Compensation will be provided for participation.

Please call stacy ladd at 404-712-2014 or email adeshay@emory.edu

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Since we’re talking training, let’s go to the kitchen. Talk about the Justin Morneau diet. What is a good satisfying meal that you will prepare?

I am a pretty simple. I like to make steak and perogies. They are not as big in the states as they are in Canada. I believe it’s Italian or polish. Kind of like a ravioli and they usually have potato and cheese in them, and you can cook them and then fry them. some people put onions in them, but I’m not a big fan of onions. We’ll do steak, perogies, and then I force myself to have some kind of vegetable in there, usually broccoli.

Where can you find a perogie in St. Paul? actually, they have them in a grocery store. you just have to know what you’re looking at. I think, if you looked at them and you didn’t know what they were and you didn’t know how good they were, you probably wouldn’t pick them up. but usually, they are in the frozen foods area. They are around if you look for them.

Justin, you’ve dealt with injuries and some tough losses. If you were talking to aspiring ball player, what would you tell him it took mentally to thrive in Major League Baseball?

There is nothing easy in this life. I think the sooner you realize that the more you put in, the more you are going to get out [you’ll be okay].

Work as hard as you can, and it’s going to work out for you. It is very hard to make it to the Major Leagues as a baseball player. If you work hard, I think you will learn a lot about yourself and that can carry over into the rest of your life. you can learn the value of hard work. you can learn what to set you up as far as fitness or business, or whatever you want. Just follow your dreams. Work as hard as you can and you give it everything you got. In the end, the risk pays off. It is something that, you know, even if you don’t become a Major League baseball player, you can learn a lot and that can carry you through the rest of your life.

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he past year has been pretty rough on Justin Morneau. We can pinpoint the day –almost to the hour, actually- that things turned south for the young Canadian too. On July 7, the 2006 aL MVp and ’08 runner-up was hitting a robust .345 and had 18 home runs. sadly, on that ill-fated evening, the twins first baseman head collided with John McDonald’s knee during an otherwise-routine slide.

Morneau suffered a concussion and had to sit out the rest of the season. his twins would make the playoffs, but they were thumped in the collective noggin by the new york yankees’ bats.

Like his team’s ego, Morneau, who turns 30 on May 15, rehabbed in the offseason and vowed to be back better than ever. In fact, when Insite caught up with the four-time all star to talk about his comeback, he was super focused. at that time, of course, the career .284 hitter had no clue he’d have an april of batting around .200 and battling a nagging flu bug. all he knew for sure was that, if the twins were going to repeat as aL Central champs, they’d need the two-time silver slugger recipient and ’08 home run Derby winner to forget about concussions, and get back to being the same old headache he used to be to opposing pitchers.

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PG 29 • insiteatlanta.com • May 2011

SPRING SAVINGS OUR FAVORITE THINGS GAMES PEOPLE PLAY and Spring Fun! W CoLumn

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System: Nintendo 3DS married last week, it Some critics have complained about the was almost a shockqualities to see hisofDJ vertigo-inducing 3D gaming, but rocking a turntable. but Audio racing titles seem better suited than others to the TechnicA’s AT-LP240-usB striking visual style.

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It utilizes a Martin,analog Maserati and Ducati, direct-drive multi-pole motor forto then head out on the highway unwavering stability, andsuch wreak havocspeed in destinations as Capean Town, Rio and features s-shaped toneTokyo. arm with Numeroustracking play modes adjustable forcemake and antifor great extendedbut play, and the skate adjustment. its best feature makes for is6-player the Usbwireless output, option which allows exciting head-to-head action. direct connection to a computer and makes it easy to transfer records DIVINITY II: for THEyour DRAGON to digital files 21st century (Atlus) KNIGHT SAGA iPod-listening pleasure. System: X360 Why summer would you to buy With justwant around the a new version of 2010’s Divinity II: Ego Draconis? Three reasons: 1) corner, we tend to spend a lot of time It was the first game to allow players to adventure in the water. When we’re not hanging as human or dragon, exploring dungeons and out on Lake Allatoona, we can be skies to deliver fighting villains or taking to the found traipsing through the jungle fiery vengeance on Rivellon from above. 2) or snorkeling off theFlames coast of The disc includes of some Vengeance, which tropical island.

I don’t know if you’ve completes the Divinity II saga, offering over 100 ever stepped a lightning whelk hours of RPGonawesomeness.

3) It comes with or gashed yourCD toefeaturing on a rock selections while a soundtrack from the sliding down a waterfall, but it’s game’s rousing musical score. not cool. so I was excited to get a pair of TevA’s GnAroski WATer FINAL FANTASY IV: THE COMPLETE shoes (www.teva.com), which (Square Enix) System: PSP COLLECTION Another protect yourre-packaged tootsies andclassic, allow FFIV wateris consistently rated among the Top 50rubber video games to drain out. The spider soles ever made. The Active Time Battletraction System,oncomplex provide excellent slipperystoryline and depth of game play revolutionized rocks, making this the perfect shoethe RPG genre upon its 1991 release, influencing scores of titles for outdoor enthusiasts. over the past decades. The original is showing its

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As a devout the optional camera bundle does coffee lover, you can taste add an intriguing elementtheto your difference the purity freshness, workout,in allowing youand to improve like heaven cup! results. The your form in fora optimal Whenincludes is a coolbalance, t-shirt more game cardio, core than just a cool t-shirt?

When strength, flexibility, lower body strength and upper company behind it is provided rooted body strength the exercises, with statistics in astamina missionand to make the world on coordination, strength to keep you better.and Mymotivated. lady loves the clothing constantly engaged line from ProjecT iris (www.

LEGO BATTLES NINJAGO (Warner Bros) projectirisclothing.com) for their System: DS ultra-feminine designs, curveI’m not sure hugging what it is, just something cutbut andthere’s remarkable about ninjas that peoplebut love… andadmire the same thing softness. we both their clearly goes forraison Legos.

But anyone d’etre, which isapproaching to create a this DS title expecting and dramatic hack impact onslash worldadventure hunger, action a la themalnutrition, Indiana Jonesand andtheStar Wars health of Lego series will come awayand sorely disappointed.

Instead, women children in developing Lego Battles Ninjago is described as a real-time countries. Partnering with the World strategy game, but with considerably less strategy Food Program, the company has than you might expect. Overall, the play seems provided over 12,500 nutritious strangely unbalanced– remarkably easy at times, meals in poverty-stricken countries, and at others damn near impossible– almost as if creating cute clothes you can the developers couldn’t agree on who theirfeel target in more audience was.good And about you know whatways theythan say one. about those who try to please everybody…

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hen Insite scrIbe John Davidson got married last week, it was almost a shock to see his DJ rocking a turntable. but Audio TechnicA’s AT-LP240-usB TurnTABLe (www.audio-technica. com) proves wheels of steel can still; be hip, whether your style is ol’ school analog or digital. It utilizes a direct-drive multi-pole motor for unwavering speed stability, and features an s-shaped tone arm with adjustable tracking force and antiskate adjustment. but its best feature is the Usb output, which allows direct connection to a computer and makes it easy to transfer records to digital files for your 21st century iPod-listening pleasure.

With summer just around the corner, we tend to spend a lot of time in the water. When we’re not hanging out on Lake Allatoona, we can be found traipsing through the jungle or snorkeling off the coast of some tropical island. I don’t know if you’ve ever stepped on a lightning whelk or gashed your toe on a rock while sliding down a waterfall, but it’s not cool. so I was excited to get a pair of TevA’s GnAroski WATer shoes (www.teva.com), which protect your tootsies and allow water to drain out. The spider rubber soles provide excellent traction on slippery rocks, making this the perfect shoe for outdoor enthusiasts.

I’ve been to the big Island of hawai’i three times now, each time visiting various coffee farms and mills in the Kona region. Kona coffee is world renowned for its rich, robust flavor (and is priced accordingly– the best brands go for $30/pound or more), so we were delighted to get a sample from LymAn konA coffee fArms (www.lymankonacoffee. com). Lyman is one of just 40 Kona coffee Farms that are a “certified Organic” coffee producer and processor, meaning they use no pesticides or herbicides. As a devout coffee lover, you can taste the difference in the purity and freshness, like heaven in a cup!

When is a cool t-shirt more than just a cool t-shirt? When the company behind it is rooted in a mission to make the world better. My lady loves the clothing line from ProjecT iris (www. projectirisclothing.com) for their ultra-feminine designs, curvehugging cut and remarkable softness. but we both admire their raison d’etre, which is to create a dramatic impact on world hunger, malnutrition, and the health of women and children in developing countries. Partnering with the World Food Program, the company has provided over 12,500 nutritious meals in poverty-stricken countries, creating cute clothes you can feel good about in more ways than one.

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SPORTS

FANATIC FanaTIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up a Monthly Sports Wrap-up SpORtS

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

Now that SUPER BOWL XLV is over, football fans

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

you commissioner Roger tellsneaking it, a new “It let wasNFL a little weird. It felt likeGoodell you were collective bargaining agreementlike is imminent. into the club or something that, and But theylisten knewto others close tosupposed the situation s nothadn’t such a you weren’t to beand in they’ll there say butit’they sure thing.

Whileabout officialsit work out the numbers, Fanatic” done anything yet. Just a little awkward. knows three things that’ll happen, lockout no lockout: 1) –Washington Redskins WRoranthony An SEC defenderafter (Auburn’ or LSU’ andeRson, thes Nick NFL Fairley lockout wass Patrick lifted, Peterson)the willleague be the in No.a 1purgatory-like pick in the Draft;state 2) An 18-game leaving season will be approved; 3) Super Bowl XLVI will kick-off as planned Indianapolis.

Goingon Feb. into5, 2012 May,in here are the MajoR Leagues’ 10 best teaMs: 1)“I feel Philadelphia; 2) Texas; like a better player now than3)I was three years ago, Colorado; 4) New York Yankees; because I think that physically I’m stronger, faster, mentally 5) 6) St.onLouis; 7) Los I’mCleveland; more motivated the court.

I know how to react in Angeles Angels;and 8)I know Florida; certain moments, how9)to play on a big stage.

Cincinnati; 10) focused Detroit.and dedicated to the sport than I have been more I have ever been before.” -2011 MEN’S AUSTRALIAN “Relentlessly optimistic, Rivera OPEN WINNER NOVAK DJOKOVIC has brought energy into the team’s will transfer Ronwas to earn “Whenoffices.

I signed He my contract, my main goal itit. to the practice field soonearning Once I started to realize Iaswasn’t my money, I Rivera as its players sign of money for not feltthe bad.NFL I wasand making a crazy amount aeven labor agreement. is wellpitching.

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But a lot the 32, who retired instead taking a guaranteed $12of million coaches who have gotten fired over the years had to pitch for Kansas City this season most of those characteristics, too. The difference: they had a of No.course, 1 pick, it didn’t workhalfway out, and it February, marks the NBA’S point. haunted them for years.” –Charlotte Observer’s With that landmark also comes Fanatic’s midseason Scott Fowler, on first-year CaRoLina awards: MVP (Derrick Rose, Chicago); Defensive Player PantheRs CoaCh Ron RiveRa on the eve of the (Dwight Howard, Orlando); Rookie of the Year of theYear 2011 NFL Draft

(Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers); Coach of the Year (Gregg Popovich, San Antonio); Most Improved Player (Kevin Love, Minnesota); Man of the Year (Jamal Crawford, “the sPuRs Sixth reconstructed themselves to play Atlanta); Most Team (New Hornets); faster, freer andSurprising far less dependent onOrleans [Tim] Duncan.

Biggest Disappointment Suns).suddenly seems They had no choice, but(Phoenix San Antonio far more constructed for the long run of the regular “He’s than a beast.

Some Spurs of the shots season theWhat grindcanofyou thesay? playoffs. ownerhe made,Holt I wasalways like, ‘Wow. Did heHejust make thatdown in mywith face?’

Peter insisted: was going A player like that, you have to live and defending him Duncan.

It was admirable, fitting anddie just.

Only now, onetime on one. he makes shots,areyou havedown to go to the the hasIfcome.

Thebig Spurs going with otherDuncan. end and” stay poised. ” –New Mexico guard Dairese Tim –Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski Gary, on JIMMER FREDETTE, BYU star and college’s leading scorerto learn the hard way that dogfighting is “I’ve come a dead-end street. Now, I am on the right side of thislastissue, and I think “St. Louis was fourth in baseball year in attendance, important send the theCardinals smart but only 13th init’spayroll.

In othertowords message tos kids, andlight notthe glorify this have money to burn, and it’ time to match.

So form of animal cruelty, even[Albert] in an here’s what you do if you’re St. Louis: Whatever Android app.you ” –MiChaeL viCk Pujols wants, within reason, give it to him.

What’s within reason? No idea. The closest baseball has had to a And free agent like this wasfinally…

Alex Rodriguez in 2001, when he There five active players their received $252 million for are 10 years.

That was $25.2inmillion 20s with at least 150 home runs: annually, and that was a decade ago. And Pujols is better.”

Cabrera, Prince Fielder, –CBS SPORTS’Miguel GREGG DOYEL Justin Morneau, David Wright and And finally… Adrian Gonzales... Cardinals skipper Tony LaRussa’s Bianca Tai,smade Hawaii pays $4 daughter, million to host the NFL’ annualthe Pro2011 Bowl Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad…

If you at Aloha Stadium… If early estimates are accurate, have Super an extra million, sponsorevent nextever… year’sAt Bowl XLV$8 should be Stubyou Hub’can s top-selling Heritage event on the PGA calendar…

According to press time, the Cleveland Cavs were in the midst of a 1-29 the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rays didn’t lead in any stretch, the NBA’s worst since 1996… If there’s an NFL work of their six losses of the season, and they are only the stoppage next season, it’s reported that Las Vegas casinos second team since 1900 to have that happen… The would23take an $850 milliongame hit onhad unplaced betting…

April Pirates-Brewers an hour and 10A record 56 underclassmen declared for the NFL Draft. minute rain delay—but it never rained.

1. We NBA All-Star Game (Feb.on20,the8PM,hardwood TNT) don’t know if there will be more celebrities playing celebrating 1. Chicago Eastern Conference Finals (Mid May, TBA,orABC/ESPN) courtsideagainst at L.A.’seither StaplesMiami Center. or Boston would be a fitting way to close out the competitive East.

2. AsMiami at andBoston (Feb. 13, 1PM, ABC) much as Chicago Orlando fans hate acknowledging fact, TBA, this isTNT) probably your 2. Western Conference Finals (MidtheMay, Eastern Finals At press Conference time, the West waspreview. in complete disarray. OKC Thunder may be the only favorites to weather the upset storm.

3.

StateOpen atESPN)Wisconsin, Pittsburgh at Villanova 3. Ohio French (Feb. 12, 2PM, 9PM, The(June top 4-5, two TBA, teamsTBA) in the nation go on the road to very, very Rafael Nadal and Francesca Schiavone are probably somewhere learning how to say hostile environments. “repeat champs” in the language right now.

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

(MayJohnson 29, 12PM, ABC) Gentlemen, start your quest to500 stop Jimmie from winning an unprecedented sixth Billed as “The Most Important Race in History,” this 95th running pits ’10 champ Dario straight Sprint Cup championship.

Franchitti against a host of tailgaters.

5. This UNC at DukeBaseball (Feb. 9, 9PM, ESPN) 5.

Interleague FOX) North Carolina big meeting (and another on March 5) goes a(May long21, wayTBA, in deciding Though Rangers-Phillies should be the day’s best game, Giants-A’s and Mets-Yankees bragging rights and the ACC crown. easily snatch the most headlines.

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