INsite Atlanta November 2015 Issue

NOVEMBER 2015

19

EARS ★ 2 Y 4 2 ★ 92

INSITEATLANTA.COM

015

VOL. 24, NO. 4 FREE

See Who Our Readers Chose Best in 2015!

Josh McDermitt of Walking Dead, Kevin Nealon, Granville Automatic, NBA Preview

Discover your inner elf.

TickeTasS

“A SPLASHY, PEPPY, SUGAR-SPRINKLED HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT!”

aS low

TM & © New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. Illustration by Hugh Syme.

$15

TM ©

“FUNNY, CHEERFUL & HEARTWARMING!”

Santa Claus is public enemy #1.

By Arlen konoPAki and kevin Gillese | directed By kevin Gillese

ON SALE NOW

December 2-6 • FoxTheatre.org/Elf

November 27–December 19 Tickets @ 404.733.5000 // alliancetheatre.org/dadsgarage Plan a wild holiday party! Groups of 10+ save @ 404.733.4690

Series on the Hertz Stage

PG 2 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

CONTENTS • NOVEMBER 2015 • VOLUME 24, NO. 4

Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

INTERVIEWS 10 Cinderella 10 Merry %#!*ing Christmas 15 Kevin Nealon 18 Josh McDermitt 19 Anton Fig 21 Granville Automatic

10

15

FEATURES 08 Best of Atlanta 22 NBA Preview

COLUMNS 18 LOCA

P

ROVE

Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com Managing Editor Bret Love bret@insiteatlanta.com Art Director / Web Design Nick Tipton nick@insiteatlanta.com Sports Editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Local Events Editor Marci Miller marci@insiteatlanta.com Music Editor Lee Valentine Smith lee@insiteatlanta.com

Follow us on the web!

get gifty

with special deals at local shops

join in the jolly during free events on the square

thesweeten season

21

with neighborhood bites (and sips!)

insiteatlanta.com STAFF LISTING

D

L

Around Town On Tap Under The Lights Station Control Movie Reviews New Releases Album Reviews Favorite Things

AP

04 05 07 17 18 20 20 22

yourshow spirit

Contributing Writers / Interns: Jon Latham, Ryan Loftis, Rodney Hill, Alex S. Morrison, Steve Warren, Dave Cohen, Jennifer Williams, Matt Connor, Ed Morales, Sacha Dzuba, David Weinthal, Benjamin Carr, Kalena Smith, Justin Patterson, John Moore, Amanda Miles, Patrick Flanary, Ian Coverdale MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 76483 Atlanta, GA 30358 WEBSITE • insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION (404) 308-5119 • ads@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 2015, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Check out our Best of Atlanta guide on page 8!

NOVEMBER 2015

1992 ★ 2

15 4 YEARS ★ 20

INSITEATLAN TA.COM

VOL. 24, NO. 4 FREE

See Who Our Readers Chose Best in 2015!

in our holiday hashtag photo contest!

Get “indie” spirit! go local this season

#holidaydecaturga

with our 30 Days of Shopping guide, Terrific Thursdays in November and December, and Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) on the square, Nov. 28 and 29. Learn more at visitdecaturga.com and thedecaturminute.com.

Decatur

Josh McDermitt of Walking Dead, Kevin Nealon, Granville Automatic, NBA Preview

Visitors Center

decaturga

downtowndecatur

Decatur-atlanta-insite-nov2015.indd 1

decaturga

113 Clairemont Ave. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm

visitdecaturga.com

insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 10/22/15 11:25 AM 3

Around Town NOVEMBER 5, 12, 19

Decatur Terrific Thursdays Downtown Decatur

Each Thursday this month except on Thanksgiving, shops all around Decatur will be offering special holiday deals. Get in the holiday spirit with their tree lighting, Santa sightings and bonfire on the square.

Learn more at visitdecaturgeorgia.com

NOVEMBER 7 - JANUARY 3 Stone Mountain Christmas Stone Mountain Park

Events and Performances taking place this Month

petition series, will launch its first ever all-stars tour will be making a stop in Atlanta on November 7 at the Cobb Energy Centre. Talent appearing including Season 8’s favorite comedian, Taylor Williamson, Season 9’s powerhouse performer Emily West, Season 8’s comedic hand balancing duo The KriStef Brothers. Visit cobbenergycentre.com

restaurants. The festival features nearly 500 wines at 70 tables for you to taste. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Arts Alliance, which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and many other arts events, free to the community each year. Visit decaturwinefestival.org

NOVEMBER 12 - 13

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Center for Puppetry Arts

NOVEMBER 27 & 28

NOVEMBER 7

Stars Wars and More

Paco Peña: Flamencura

Atlanta Symphony Woodruff Arts Center

Rialto Center for the Arts

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas at Stone Mountain Park, where the true magic of the season is in the air. Enjoy the glow of more than two million lights, festive music and visits from some your favorite holiday characters. Start a new tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime. Named

by USA Today as one of the ten best places in the country to catch Santa Claus. Visit stonemountainpark.com

NOVEMBER 7

Paco Peña is to flamenco guitar what Pelé was to futbol – his name is synonymous with the art form.

Ever the innovator, Peña returns to the Rialto by popular demand to push boundaries with his new piece Flamencura, in which Peña and his fellow performers pursue “duende”: that inexplicable, elusive moment of magic that joins artist and audience together in transcendence.

Tickets available at rialto.gsu.edu

America’s Got Talent Live

NOVEMBER 7

America’s Got Talent Live: The All-Stars Tour featuring some of the most popular performers from the hit NBC variety com-

Decatur Square

Cobb Energy Centre

Decatur Wine Festival Sip wines from around the globe while sampling delicious food from Decatur-area

Rudolph soars back into town for this faithful adaptation of the wonderful holiday film that speaks to the misfit in all of us.

Based on the beloved 1964 stop-motion animated special, Rudolph and his friends Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, the Abominable Snow Monster and all the other merry misfits join Santa for an unforgettable holiday adventure. Puppet.org

NOVEMBER 14 - JANUARY 9

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights Atlanta Botanical Garden

This contemporary holiday light show features more than 1.5 million energy-efficient LED lights. Explore new features like the massive Tunnel of Light along with favorites such as the Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest, and Model Trains that continue to make the exhibition a must-see holiday tradition. On

A L E X A N D E R S O FAT L A N TA . C O M

IN TOCO HILL SHOPPING CENTER

Thank you for voting us Number 1 for the third consecutive year.

PG 4 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

the Great Lawn colored lights dance to a new selection of holiday music and choreography. Visit atlantabotanicalgarden.org

In addition to the Star Wars movies, John Williams has scored dozens of films including Superman, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, and War Horse. Come hear Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski lead the Orchestra in an exciting journey of Williams’ music. Three performances take place at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Visit atlantasymphony.org for tickets.

NOVEMBER 28

Craig Ferguson

Cobb Energy Centre

Craig Ferguson entered the world of late night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. He took the helm of CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” in 2005, the show set an all-time viewer record for the nine year run. Now he can be found performing the syndicated game show “Celebrity Name Game”. See him in person. Tickets at cobbenergycentre.com

On Tap this Month MAJOR EVENTS COMING TO ATLANTA

November 20 & 21: The Fox Theatre

JOE BONAMASSA

Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock legend. He opened for B.B. King when he was only 12 years old and in the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums. Eleven of his solo albums have reached #1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Backed by a stellar band of Blues musicians including Anton Fig (drums), Michael Rhodes (bass), Reese Wynans (piano), Lee ornburg (trumpet) and more. Tickets at Foxtheatre.org

November 25 & 27: The Fox Theatre

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE

Ring in the holiday season with 20 acts and 30 performers from 12 countries showcasing heart-pounding and gravity- defying feats. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires along with snowmen, icemen and penguins, balancing, jumping and spinning in disbelief. Performers twirl, bounce and soar thru the air to original music and seasonal favorites. Tickets at Foxtheatre.org

November 26: Lenox Square Mall

MACY’S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Experience the magic of the holiday season as so many generations of Atlantans have with the lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree. e lighting of Atlanta’s most beloved and recognized Christmas tree will take place at Macy’s at Lenox Square Mall on anksgiving night, ursday, November 26, 2015. e Great Tree remains one of Atlanta’s most beloved and historic holiday traditions. Visit Simon.com

Thanks Atlanta!

Best Performance Venue We Hope to See You Soon!

3110 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30305 Thebuckheadtheatre.com Tickets available at And Box Office 404.891.6168

November 28: The Fox Theatre

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER e Hip Hop Nutcracker is performed by a dozen allstar dancers, DJ and violinist. rough the spells cast by the mysterious Drosselmeyer, Maria-Clara and her prince, Myron, travel back in time to the moment when her parents first meet in a nightclub. Digital scenery transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story of a palace of sugarplums into a romance set in 1980s Brooklyn on New Year’s Eve. Visit Foxtheatre.org for tickets.

November 29: Cobb Energy Centre

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

e work of Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox has been viewed on the ensemble’s YouTube channel well over a hundred million times. He began his career as a pop-cultural provocateur of ragtime medley of classic rock songs. “Not much has changed,” he says of the lyrical content of pop music. “In the 1920s, in the ’60s and ’70s, today – it’s still about love and drinking and dancing.” Go to Cobbenergycentre.com for tickets.

December 5: The Georgia Dome

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

e SEC’s Eastern and Western Division winners will meet in the Georgia Dome for the 22nd consecutive year to battle for the league championship. e game matches the teams with the best overall SEC winning percentage in each division. e title game has provided SEC fans plenty of memories and has catapulted teams to national championships in eight of the past nine years. Visit GAdome.com insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 5

Sunday, November 8

FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

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

By Marci Miller

November 5 - 22

MJCCA BOOK FESTIVAL

Starting at $10 Center at Zaban Park atlantajcc.org

Saturday & Sunday Nov. 7 & 8

CHASTAIN PARK ARTS FESTIVAL

Free to Attend Chastain Park e 24th annual Book Festival of the chastainparkartsfestival.com

MJCCA takes place this month and will feature works from this year’s most sought-after and talked-about authors, celebrities, and influencers. More than 10,000 visitors will enjoy engaging speaker programs, author meet-and-greets, book signings, panel discussions, and more.

Most events held at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.

Saturday, November 7

CHOMP AND STOMP

is event will feature up to 185 fine painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craft persons, glass blowers, jewelers and more. e festival will also offer visitors the opportunity to view artist demonstrations, enjoy live entertainment, participate in hands-on arts activities, and enjoy festival foods and beverages. e Festival benefits a scholarship fund for local artists administered by the Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces.

Free to Attend Cabbagetown chompandstomp.com

Sunday, November 8

is festival honors Cabbagetown’s past where music and food have always defined the neighborhood’s spirit. Chomp and Stomp will feature a chili cook-off including individual and restaurant chilis, 5K run, artist market, live bluegrass music, beer and more. e 5K race begins at 8:00 a.m. while the festival starts at 11:00 a.m. and runs through 6:00 p.m. e event is free to attend with $5 tasting spoon.

Free to Attend Candler Park clatl.com/atlanta/CraftsDrafts2015

Free High Museum Woodruff Arts Center high.org Discover world class family artistic experiences for free in a creative festival atmosphere. Families are invited to explore select featured works of art presented by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Alliance eatre.

Saturday, November 21

ATLANTIC STATION TREE LIGHTING Free Atlantic Station atlanticstation.com

Kick off the holiday season at Atlantic Station’s annual tree lighting celebration. is family-friendly event will feature live musical entertainment, a kids’ activity area, live reindeer, the Seed N’ Feed Pa-

rade and more. e night will culminate with Santa’s arrival, a Holiday Jubilee performance, the tree lighting with more than 250,000 lights, a “snow show” and fireworks. e lighting of the Christmas Tree in Central Park takes place at approximately 8:30 p.m. followed by fireworks.

November 26 - December 31

LIGHTS OF LIFE

$5 per car Mon - Thu; $10 Fri/Sat/Sun Life University, Marietta life.edu Lights of LIFE is an annual holiday tradition that was started by Life University and dates back to 1989. It has grown to be the most affordable holiday light show in the Southeast. It is a visual treat that the whole family will enjoy. Concessions are available seven days a week. Additional activities will be available during the weekends for a small fee including petting zoo, train rides, pony rides and photos with Santa.

CRAFTS AND DRAFTS

Crafts & Drafts is a curated exhibition and sale of local handmade arts and crafts. In addition to fancy crafts, the fest will also showcase a tasty selection of local craft beers. is family friendly event takes place on Sunday, November 8th from 1 - 6 p.m. in Candler Park so bring the kids!

CHOMP and STOMP Free to Attend Cabbagetown chompandstomp.com

REceive Updated Events Weekly. Sign Up by Emailing Subscriptions@atlantaonadime.com Enter on the subject line: Sign me up Insite!

PG 6 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

Under The Lights

Family SerieS recommended

ON STAGE THIS MONTH

ages

9+ ier e m e r P d worl

TELL ME MY DREAM

October 30 - November 8 Alliance Theatre (404) 733-5000 AllianceTheatre.org/dream There was a not so long ago moment when making music and making history were part of the same Atlanta dream. In 1910, that dream became a music festival that made history and changed the lives of two unsuspecting middle school time travelers forever. Take a trip back to the time before Instagram and ear buds when friendship could build a bridge to freedom. This play was especially written for Middle Schoolers and their families by playwright Pearl Cleage.

CINDERELLA

November 3 - 8 The Fox Theatre Tickets (855) 285-8499 FoxTheatre.org/cinderella

This production of Cinderella is a fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess. It has the story's classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She fights for her dreams while forcing the prince to open his eyes to the world around him.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

November 19 - December 27 Alliance Theatre (404) 733-5000 AllianceTheatre.org/christmas A Christmas Carol, the most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic and your favorite Atlanta actors. In this tale of redemption, Ebenezer Scrooge goes to sleep on Christmas Eve as a miserly, stonehearted man and awakens on Christmas Day with a compassionate and benevolent heart after his encounter with three ghosts.

Celebrate this magnificent staging of

Charles Dickens's classic Christmas tale and Ebenezer Scrooge’s eye-opening Christmas Eve journey.

SANTALAND DIARIES

November 20 - December 31 Horizon Theatre (404) 584-7450 HorizonTheatre.com Horizon Theatre Company is in holiday cheer as it reprises its popular production of The Santaland Diaries by awardwinning satirist David Sedaris.

Adapted from David Sedaris’ best-selling book Holidays on Ice, the play borrows from tales during his stint as a Macy’s Department Store elf named Crumpet. This rebel without a Clause recounts in hilarious fashion the true-life story of an out-of-work writer as a Macy’s Department Store elf.

MERRY %#*!ING CHRISTMAS

November 27 - December 19 Alliance Theatre (404) 733-5000 AllianceTheatre.org/dadsgarage When Santa's giftgiving mania destabilizes the world economy, and global warming threatens to reduce Frosty to a puddle, an unlikely duo must team up to save Christmas: Ebenezer Scrooge and a single dad in an ugly sweater. This December Dad's Garage brings you an epic holiday mash-up full of split second character changes, live music, and their trademark irreverent humor. So if you think Santa's consumerism might be the death of us all, or that Frosty may be the only one who's motivated enough to tackle climate change, or that Scrooge probably did master the art of time travel, then come on down to the Alliance this season and laugh until it Hertz.

ATLANTA’S RED-HOT HOLIDAY SENSATION! The

Santalan Diaries

BEST HOLIDAY SHOW -ATLANTA THEATRE FANS

Child

s T e k C i T w as as lo

$15

BY DAVID SEDARIS

17 TH SMAS YEARH !

Take a trip back to the time when friendship could build a bridge to freedom.

Written especially for middle schoolers by Pearl Cleage directed by roSemary NewCott

October 30–November 8

J

0NOV 231, DEC 15 20

Tickets @ 404.733.5000

alliancetheatre.org/dream | Groups 404.733.4690 EUCLID & AUSTIN AVES. IN LITTLE FIVE POINTS

404.584.7450 • HORIZONTHEATRE.COM

flx

Family series on the alliance stage

insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 7

Your Winners!

BEST BURGER Cheeseburger Bobby’s

Buckhead 678.732.9531; Sandy Springs 404.600.2484; Marietta 770.919.9110 cheeseburgerbobbys.com Cheeseburger Bobby's offers gourmet hamburgers with a wide variety of freshly prepared toppings with which to prepare your own Best Burger. Bobby’s uses only fresh, never frozen 100% U.S. beef, seared on a grill after you order it and served on a lightly buttered, toasted bun.

The rest is up to you. 10 metro area locations.

BEST BURRITO Willy’s Mexicana Grill

DINING

See the Full List of Best Of Categories online at INsiteAtlanta.com

BEST BAGELS Emerald City Bagels Ordering 404.245.7446 emeraldcitybagels.com

Emerald City Bagels has taken Atlanta by storm. The mother and daughter team from Long Island, NY has been perfecting their recipe over the past two years and now offers the best bagels in the city. They don’t have a stand along store location but can be found at your favorite coffee shops, breakfast places, Farmer’s Markets and Pop-up locations around town.

BEST BARBECUE Pig-N-Chik pignchik.net

Sandy Springs 404.255.6368 Brookhaven 770.451.1112 Emory Area 404.474.9444 Voted Best Barbecue for the third year in a row, Pig-N-Chik ribs are St. Louis cut and

cooked until they show a pink smoke ring. This makes them nice and tender with just the right smoky flavor.

They come naked (without the sauce) as owner Jim Graddy feels ribs should stand on their own. But should you want, there are homemade Pig-N-Chik sauces on the tables. You will also find great barbecue pork, turkey, beef brisket, chicken wings, smoked salmon along with a variety of sides, and salads.

BEST BREAKFAST The Flying Biscuit

25 Area Locations Catering 404.422.7107 willys.com

Atlanta’s original burrito chain is celebrating 20 years! Willy’s award winning California-style burritos keep the concept of freshness true. Their rice and beans are cooked daily using no lard or animal products.

Willy’s restaurants are vegetarian friendly offering grilled tofu and veggie burritos. Order a Willy’s truck to come to your event by calling their Catering Hotline.

BEST CAJUN Copeland’s

Cumberland 770.612.3311 Kennesaw 770.919.9612 copelandsatlanta.com

Candler Park 404.687.8888 Midtown 404.874.8887 flyingbiscuit.com The Flying Biscuit serves great breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week starting at 7 am. They are known for their mouthwatering biscuits and affordable menu items. Their signature dish is The Flying Biscuit Breakfast. It is served with two large farm-fresh eggs, free-range chicken and sage breakfast sausage. The Flying Biscuit offers an organic-friendly menu and bakery.

Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant and Bar offers great Cajun cuisine in a French Quarter inspired setting. You will feel like your back in the Bayou when tasting their Shrimp Etouffee, Fried Catfish Creole or Crawfish Po-Boy. Don’t miss their famous brunch buffet.

Spice up the holidays with a Copeland’s Famous Fried Turkey dinner for parties large and small. Call store locations for details, visit their website and order online or call their catering hotline (404) 455-5561.

Atlanta’s Newest Gem!

Traditional NY-Style Bagels Hand-rolled, boiled and baked to perfection

Find Us at your favorite coffee shops, breakfast places, farmer’s markets and pop-up locations We do Corporate & Individual Orders

SANDY SPRINGS

WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER

Atlanta’s Favorite Family Style BBQ BEST BBQ

BUY 1 SANDWICH GET 2ND HALF OFF!

2nd Sandwich of equal of lesser value.

With this ad.

Expires 12/31/15

PigNChik.net Sandy Springs / Buckhead 4920 Roswell Rd • 404-255-6368 Chamblee / Brookhaven 5071 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. • 770-451-1112 Emory Area 1815 Briarcliff Rd. • 404-474-9444 WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER

PG 8 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER

WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER • WE DELIVER

emeraldcitybagels.com

Atlanta’s Best Burgers!

5975 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404.600.2484

MARIETTA

125 Barrett Parkway Marietta, GA 30066 770.919.9110

BUCKHEAD CheeseburgerBobbys.com

4365 Roswell Road Atlanta, Georgia 30342 678.732.9531

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm

10 Metro Area Locations Check Website for a Cheeseburger Bobby’s nearest you!

cheeseburgerbobbys.com

$

7

Includes Burger, Fresh Cut Fries & Med. Drink Expires 12/31/15. Valid at Buckhead, Marietta & Sandy Springs locations.

BEST CHINESE Chin Chin

3887 Peachtree Rd. 404.816.2229 and other area locations chinchinga.com From prawns to whole fish, Chin Chin offers fine dining that won’t break the bank. Chin Chin has several locations around Metro Atlanta, each with the same great flavor, healthy portions and elegant décor. A perennial Best Of winner!

BEST CUBAN Havana Restaurant

2905 Buford Hwy. at N. Druid Hills 3979 Buford Hwy at Clairmont havanaatlanta.com After loosing the original location at Buford Hwy. and N. Druid Hills Rd. to fire a few years ago, they opened a new location up the road. Now the original location has reopened and Havana’s great Cuban cuisine can be found at both locations along Buford Hwy. and their authentic Cuban dishes are as good as ever!

BEST DELI Goldberg’s

6 Restaurants + 3 Airport goldbergbagels.com Goldberg’s is Atlanta’s favorite deli for dine

in or takeout. Here you will find the freshest bagels and finest kosher meats and dishes. All Goldberg’s Atlanta locations offer full table seating. Follow them on Facebook for weekday takeout specials.

BEST DESSERTS Macaron Queen

Lenox Square; Perimeter Mall 908.867.8336 macaronqueen.com Macaron Queen desserts offers French pastries that are delicious, delectable and with less calories, a guilt-free slice of heaven! Madame Macaron’s menu varies from individual desserts, cakes, Macarons, parfaits, and cookies all with the finest ingredients and exquisite taste.

BEST DINER Landmark Diner

BUCKHEAD • DUNWOODY • WEST PACES • EAST COBB • AVALON • TOCO HILLS

www.GoldbergBagels.com

AtlAntA’s Best tApAs RestAuRAnt

3652 Roswell Rd. 404.816.9090 landmarkdiner.com A landmark of great meals 24 hours a day!

Whether you crave a 2 a.m. breakfast or an 8 a.m. steak, the dishes at Landmark Diner will hit the spot. The Buckhead location is now offering three-course dinners for just $15.99 including dinner entree, soup & dessert. Deal offered from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily.

Now Booking Atlanta’s Most Festive Holiday Parties!

4505 AshfoRd dunwoody Rd. 678.205.5862 764 MiAMi CiRCle 404.846.0449 eclipsediluna.com

GIVE H C N U L

Thanks for voting us BEST BURRITO in Atlanta! insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 9

THEATER

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF CINDERELLA! W

BY MARCI MILLER

ITH ITS FRESH NEW TAKE on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story’s classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place.

She not only fights for her own dreams,

but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

We recently spoke with Kaitlyn Davidson who steps into the glass slippers in the title role of Cinderella, which she also understudied in the Broadway production.

well! Their story has more layers. There are references and jokes in the script that are contemporary but never take you out of the style of the show.

How did it feel when you found out you got the role of Cinderella? Had you always dreamed of playing a princess?

What makes this production of Cinderella I actually went into a little bit of shock. different than others I kept asking my agent done before it? on the phone, “Really?

Our Rodgers and REALLY?!!” I was Hammerstein’s Cinderella dumbfounded for a November 3 – 8 is the same fairytale you bit, then I was really The Fox Theatre know and love but with giddy. I’ve been playing some really fun twists! I FoxTheatre.org/Cinderella Cinderella for about love how clever, hilarious, two weeks now, and it romantic and genuinely still feels surreal. I was heartwarming our show is! Our story reveals absolutely one of those little girls who some new characters as well as fleshes out wanted to BE a princess. Now to be playing the journey of those you already know. one? I’m beside myself.

There are many beloved interpretations of this story, and I think ours is incredibly Other famous stars who have played witty and uplifting.

Cinderella in the Rodgers & Hammerstein version of the show include Julie Andrews, The description of the show says it’s Lesley Ann Warren and Brandy….how “surprisingly contemporary”….can you much pressure to you feel to live up to these give us a hint of what audiences may other performers? experience?

I admire those women greatly! Each their We have a wonderful new script by own radiant Cinderella. We have amazing Douglas Carter Beane and he seamlessly producers and an incredible creative team, marries the style of “In a Kingdom very far and I have never been made to feel I needed away” with our 21st century sensibilities. to recreate someone else’s performance (not Ella (Cinderella) is not only kind, but is that I could if I tried!). We’re telling such a also intelligent and brave. She is a great beautiful story, and I simply have to trust role model for young girls. The Prince is that I’m sharing it to the best of my ability. on his own journey of self-discovery, as

CINDERELLA

What is your favorite production number which you perform in?

I love the waltz in “Ten Minutes Ago” at the ball. I’m a hopeless romantic, and I love dancing. It’s personally one of the more challenging numbers for me, but ultimately that makes it the most rewarding in my book!

Does the show play well to all audiences?

How has the reaction been each night?

This show is for EVERYONE. My friends and family who have seen the show are always so surprised at how funny it is! You’re laughing one minute and holding your breath the next. The audiences have been lovely in every city. I love the connection we make with them!

Why do people love the story of Cinderella as much as they do?

Well, I’m not sure I can speak for everyone, but I love the story because I find it incredibly satisfying to see someone who starts with so little achieve so much, and I’m not talking about material things or ball gowns! Ella is kind to all, even when they are not kind to her. The compassion she shows, the genuine interest she takes in the wellbeing of others and the world she lives in is contagious. She learns to believe in herself and her worth, and her courage to be kind lifts her out of a life of misery and into a new one, where she loves and is loved. Who doesn’t want a Happily Ever After? And magic. Lots of magic.

THEATER

FROM THE GARAGE TO THE ALLIANCE

Dad’s Garage Director Brings Naughty Tidings of Joy in Merry %#!*ing Christmas

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

G

REGARIOUS KEVIN GILLESE is a mass of kinetic energy. Artistic Director of Dad’s Garage since January 2010, Canadian-born comic/writer/director has been an integral figure in the expansion and the outreach of the popular theater. This fall in addition to overseeing Thankskilling: The Musical and TheatreSports at Dad’s Garage, he’s writer and director of Merry %#!*ing Christmas a holiday-themed musical comedy premiering this month at the Alliance. Written with Arlen Konopaki, his creative partner of more than a decade, the play deftly skewers the sacred mainstays of traditional holiday fare. We caught up with Gillese as he worked on last-minute changes to the ribald production.

Tell us about the writing process for a show like this one.

We’re still writing it right now! We’re gonna be writing up until the first day we start rehearsal.

And then the writing process will continue in the rehearsal hall. Then if it’s not good we’re going to say, “Ok who’s got a better angle?” Then we’ll change it again.

So it’ll be as current as you can possibly make it.

It’s so current it’s not even finished yet! I’ll say that to the Alliance the next time they ask about it. “Guys, this is so cutting-edge, it’s still a work in progress. I don’t want a script that’s ‘so last week’!”

PG 10 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

You and co-writer Arlen Konopaki go way back.

Before I came to Dad’s, we toured as an improv duo called Scratch through Australia and New Zealand and then all across Europe and Canada. So in the process we’ve developed a sort of twin-speak language that’s just between the two of us. And because our improv shows were in long form - which means we were improvising full narratives every night instead of just one-off bits - we started keeping notebooks full of our characters’ best moments and our favorite jokes and scenes. After we’d done that for a few years, we had several notebooks full of material. That’s when we started to create written material from all the improv history we’d saved.

This is your fourth full-length play. You’re tackling Christmas now but what were the others about?

Well, first there was “Revengeance,” which was like a big summer blockbuster kind of thing, and then we created “F’ed Up Fairytales,” and that was the darker side of all the old fairytales.

Like, with three little pigs, each of them had a vice. That kind of thing. Our third one was a sci-fi mash-up and now we’re working on a Christmas story.

The holidays are perfect to plunder with all the usual clichés and characters.

Oh yes! In this one we’ve got Scrooge and Santa and a little orphan and a single dad who’s

suicidal, kind of like in “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

Oh and we’ve got Frosty The Snowperson. And I say “snow person” because we make it clear in the script that since he’s not been given any snow genitalia he is decidedly androgynous.

Because of that he has some gender identity issues, as you might expect.

Tell us about the actors. Did you dip into the Dad’s Garage stash for the casting?

For this show it’s exclusively Dad’s Garage people. Atlanta has so many great actors and comics but we’re only featuring the Dad’s improvisors for this one.

Since Dad’s Garage is known for improv shows, how do you keep the show consistently focused and on-track? Or is there some built-in room for going off-script if they so desire?

It’s mostly scripted. It really is a 95 to 5 kind of situation. We all created and discovered our comedic voices through improv and throughout the rehearsal process for the show we’ll definitely use improv to flush out ideas and explore something new. Maybe even develop the characters a bit more. But for this show’s run at the Alliance we definitely want the consistency of a set script.

Who are the stars of the show?

We have Taylor Dooley and Mark Kendall and they totally get it, they’re on the beam. And some other Dad’s folks like Karen Cassidy, she’s so funny. Chris Blair, who’s one of the most veteran guys we have; he’s been around like day

one of Dad’s Garage. He’s playing Scrooge. And Chris Rittelmeyer, his secret weapon is he has the voice of an angel. You’d never know it just to look at him. He’s like a regular guy, a big guy with a big beard. A big Southern dude. But my God, he has the voice of an angel! So I knew I wanted Santa to do some songs And you’ll have live music in the show.

Yes. We’ve always enjoyed using live music but over the last couple of shows we started getting into the full band component and it is really taking it up a notch. We love the power of music and the comedic way to use a song as a punchline.

The world premiere of Merry %#!*ing Christmas runs November 27 – December 19 at the Alliance Theater. The production is recommended for ages 18 and up. Visit dadsgarage.com or AllianceTheatre.org for showtimes and tickets.

Best Of Continued from Page 9

BEST ETHIOPIAN Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

3086 Briarcliff Rd. NE 404.929.0011 destaethiopiankitchen.com

As you walk through their door into the world of Desta expect greetings and warm smiles.

Their friendly wait staff will assist you in navigating the menu. Prompt, friendly service and quick delivery of traditional Ethiopian delicacies make for a wonderful and unique dining experience which is the hallmark of Desta Ethiopian Kitchen.

BEST GREEK Athens Pizza

1341 Clairmont Rd. 404.636.1100 athenspizzaatlanta.com For nearly 50 years, the Papadopoulos family at Athens Pizza has been serving the same delicious Greek cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area that their customers have come to expect. There is much more than pizza here. Authentic dishes including Veal, Roasted Lamb or the Oven Baked Chicken. Athens Pizza offers lunch and dinner and is popular for catering.

BEST INDIAN Bhojanic

Buckhead 404.841.8472; Decatur 404.633.9233 bhojanic.com Bhojanic understands the need for authen-

tic Indian fare.

The finest vegetables and meats are used to create the flavorful experience of the Indian culture. The food you find at Bhojanic is exactly like the food cooked in the homes of India.

BEST INEXPENSIVE RESTAURANT Eats 600 Ponce de Leon Ave.

404.888.9149 eatsonponce.net For over 22 years now, people have been heading down to Ponce to experience their great jerk chicken and pasta dishes. Over all this time Eats has maintained the great quality of their food and kept their prices low!

BEST MEDITERRANEAN Mediterranean Grill

N. Decatur Plaza 404.320.0101 Midtown 404.917.1100; East Cobb 678.996.0045; Athens 706.543.5000 mediterraneangrill.com

Mediterranean Grill is a perennial Best Of Winner.

For over a decade their loyal customers have continued to flock to this family / chef-owned and operated restaurant. They serve authentic regional dishes like gyros, falafel and kabob sandwiches made to perfection. Try their fall off the bone lamb shank.

Continued on Page 12

V OT E D B E S T I N D I A N 2011 – 2015 | W E H AV E T H E B E S T C U S TO M E R S !

T R A D I T I O N A L I N D I A N F O O D I N A N O N T R A D I T I O N A L AT M O S P H E R E Join us for

Jazz Brunch SUNDAYS

SPECIAL BRUNCH MENU BLOODY MARY BAR | MIMOSAS | CATERINGLOCATION | FOOD TRUCK | EVENTS RESTAURANT AT OUR BUCKHEAD

BUCKHEAD | 404.841.8472

D E C AT U R | 4 0 4 . 6 3 3 . 9 2 3 3

3400 Around Lenox Dr, Buckhead, GA 30326

1363 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

Shops Around Lenox N e xt t o C r at e & B a r r e l ™

J u s t N ort h of N . D e c at u r a n d Clairmont Rd Intersection

COMING IN DECEMBER Best Ethiopian Cuisine

The

Holiday Issue

Catering and Party Reservations Available

404.929.0011

Mon-Thus: 9–12am • Fri-Sun: 9–1am

3086 Briarcliff Rd. NE • Atlanta, GA 30329

Call 404-308-5119 to Advertise!

(Inside Williamsburg Shopping Center)

destaethiopiankitchen.com

Atlanta’s Favorite Mexican Restaurant!

Exquisite Mexican food with a hint of tequila in every dish, friendly staff and a party atmosphere.

Best Inexpensive Restaurant

Thanks Atlanta for Voting us Best 15 Straight Years

eatsonponce.net

BEST DESSERTS!

Atlanta’s Original Havana Restaurant established in 1976

FULL MENU OF CUBAN CUISINE

Voted Best in Atlanta!

Visit Us for Happy Hour!

Ponce de Leon: 650 Ponce de Leon Ave. ATL 30308 Buckhead: 4279 Roswell Rd. Suite 103 ATL 30342 Cumming: 2155 Market Pl Blvd. Cumming, GA 30041

tandtatlanta.com

Original Location Re-Opened!

Lenox Square • Perimeter Mall Northpoint coming soon Dec 2015

macaronqueen.com 908-867-8336

2905 Buford Hwy. at N. Druid Hills (404) 636-4094

& 3979 Buford Hwy. at Clairmont (404) 633-7549

Havanaatlanta.com insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 11

BEST MEXICAN Tacos and Tequilas Ponce de Leon 678.705.5955; Buckhead 404.705.8225; Cumming 678.456.8237 tandtatlanta.com Tacos & Tequilas is a familyowned traditional Mexican restaurant offering recipes passed down through generations. Here you’ll find all your Mexican favorites – tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and more. The quality in their food is on par with the finest Mexican restaurants in the city but at very reasonable prices. At Tacos & Tequila everything is authentic including their drinks as they offer 100 different brands of tequila.

BEST PATIO DINING Park Tavern

500 10th Street NE 404.249.0001 ParkTavern.com The Southwest Porch at Park Tavern has one of the best views in the city overlooking Piedmont Park and the Midtown Skyline. This amazing backdrop provides for a great atmosphere for meeting up with friends and is popular for weddings and special events. The large patio area is dotted with table seating, private cabanas, fire pits, and TV's to catch your favorite teams in action.

BEST PIZZA Johnny’s Pizza

1810 Cheshire Bridge Rd. Multiple Area Locations johnnyspizza.com Johnny's Pizza has been synonymous with great pizza in Atlanta since 1977. They specialize in NY style pizza, which is thin in the middle and thick around the edges.

The secret to their success is in the preparation. They always use the finest ingredients accompanied with

friendly staff that keeps customers coming back. Try their house specialty the Johnny’s Deluxe.

BEST RIBS BEST BLUES Fat Matt’s

location in Fayetteville , NC. Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs has been recognized as the only true New Jersey Style submarine in the South. They bake their bread fresh daily and every sub is made custom to order. When you eat a Baldinos sub you know the difference.

BEST TACOS Tomatillos

1811 Piedmont Ave. 404.607.1622 fatmattsribshack.com

1242 Glenwood Ave. 404.622.9448 tomatillos-atlanta.com

Featuring fall-off-the-bone smoked meat and tangy sauce. Order by the slab, half-slab, as a combo or chopped pork sandwich. Great barbecue chicken and sides as well. Live blues played nightly starting at 8pm featuring many of the local favorites and you never know when a touring legend will stop bye.

BEST SOUTHWESTERN BEST MARGARITAS Agave

This East Atlanta restaurant is named after the Tomatillo which their signature sauce Salsa Verde is made from.

But it isn’t just the sauce that makes their tacos so great, it is the ingredients. Fillings like shrimp and steak to brisket and potato green chili are what keep people coming back.

Their customers also rave about their catfish and fried chicken tacos. Come in for Taco Tuesdays where every taco on the menu is just $2.00!

BEST TAKEOUT Chicago’s Nancy’s Midtown

242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 agaverestaurant.com

265 Ponce De Leon 404.254.5103 NancysPizza.com

Agave’s unique blend of eclectic southwestern cuisine, extensive tequila bar and wine list coupled with exceptional service makes this one of Atlanta’s top restaurants. They’ve won numerous awards from various publications for their inspired dining experience. Agave offers over 100 tequilas and 12 specialty margaritas on the menu. All Agave margaritas are made with blue agave tequilas and fresh squeezed lime juice.

Chicago’s Nancy’s is a favorite stop in Midtown for take-out and delivery. Besides their famous deep dish pizza, they have great appetizers, sandwiches and salads. New to their menu are BBQ Ribs and the Mac ‘N Cheese Pizza. Nancy's is the perfect place to call when planning a tailgate or get-together.

BEST SUB SANDWICH Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs

Dunwoody 678.205.5862 Buckhead 404.846.0449 eclipsediluna.com Eclipse di Luna has set the trend for tapas restaurants in Atlanta. With over two dozen tapas to choose from, there is something to please any taste. Their tapas are priced affordably to encourage multiple sampling. The menu offers a variety of glutton-free and vegetarian tapas.

Marietta 770.321.1177; Doraville 770.455.8570 Milton 678.580.0434 baldinos.us Baldinos is celebrating their 10th straight year being voted as the Best Sub Sandwich in the Atlanta. This year they also celebrate their 40th anniversary of their original

BEST TAPAS Eclipse di Luna

SEE OUR DAILY SPECIALS

www.baldinos.us

MONDAY – Baldinos Extra Special (#7) TUESDAY – Like it Hot? Grilled & Toasted The HOT Italian WEDNESDAY – Ham it Up - (#5) Boiled Ham & Cheese w/ soup or side THURSDAY – “Check Out Our New Chicken Breast” – Try our #21 FRIDAY – Meatless Combo - Tuna (#10) or Veg Stir Fry (#27) w/ side SATURDAY – Steak Out- A-Steak Sub Your Choice (#11,13, or 19) SUNDAY – American Special - (#14) w/ choice of soup or side Marietta 80 Powers Ferry Rd 770-321-1177 (closed Sundays)

$3.79 All Day!

Doraville 5697 Buford Hwy. MILTON 12890 Hwy. 9 770-455-8570 678-580-0434

BEST SUBS IN ATLANTA 10 STRAIGHT YEARS!

Come enjoy our Newly Renovated Full Bar!

VOTED BEST TACOS IN ATLANTA! FEATURING HOUSE MARGARITAS! BRUNCH EVERY SUNDAY 11AM – 3PM NEW MENU AND DRINK SELECTION

1242 Glenwood Ave 30316 • (404) 622-9488 • TOMATILLOS-ATLANTA.COM

PG 12 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

BEST WINGS Wing Factory

an extensive selection of 29-degree draft beers on 32 taps while the girls pour and serve into huge ice-cold, frosted mugs.

Chastain 404.255.4460; Smyrna 770.575.4884 Chamblee 678.580.4300; Dunwoody 404.935.9157 wingfactory.com

BEST COMEDY CLUB Laughing Skull Lounge

The name tells the story – or most of it, anyway. At the Wing Factory, wings are indeed serious business with 25 flavors to choose from, there are plenty of tongueburning options to please pepper pros but there are also enough subtle and complex “alternative” flavors to suit the less adventurous palette.

NIGHTLIFE BEST BARTENDERS BEST LOOKING WAITSTAFF Twin Peaks 3365 Piedmont Road 404.961.8946 2475 G. Busby Pkwy. 678.348.1605 twinpeaksrestaurant.com Twin Peaks, the mountain lodgestyle sports restaurant and it’s Twin Peaks girls offer great views! Let their outgoing wait staff serve highquality comfort food, salads and sandwiches to your table. Choose from

878 Peachtree St. 877.523.3288 laughingskulllounge.com Located in the back of the Vortex in Midtown, this intimate comedy club has made a big imprint on Atlanta’s comedy scene. Tony Hinchcliffe, Dom Irrera, Paul Varghese and Jarrod Harris this month.

BEST DANCE CLUB Andrews Upstairs

56 E Andrews Dr 404.869.1171 andrewsdistrict.com Andrews Upstairs is a one of a kind music and entertainment venue. Expect to find everything from live regional and national music to classic movie nights. For those of you who like to get your groove on, Atlanta's hottest DJs spin tunes late night on Fridays and Saturdays.

BEST LOCAL MUSIC The Earl 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404.522.3950 badearl.com

An Atlanta institution for great local music, drinks and grub. National acts and the best of the emerging Atlanta music scene grace the stage nightly to packed crowds. Check out this month: Natural Child (11/12); Health (11/17) and All Them Witches (11/28).

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

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

Available for Take-Out Only.

Ask about our full service Catering and Delivery.

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

CUMBERLAND 770-612-3311 KENNESAW 770-919-9612

www.CopelandsAtlanta.com

Atlanta’s Favorite Pizza!

Multiple Atlanta Locations: JohnnysPizza.com insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 13

TACOS. MARGARITAS. FRIENDS.

BEST MUSIC VENUE INDOOR The Tabernacle

152 Luckie Street 404.659.9022 livenation.com This turn of the century church turned concert venue attracts some of the biggest national acts to Atlanta. Check out Ben Folds & Y Music (11/5); Jeezy (11/25).

LIFESTYLE BEST BOOT CAMP Higher Purpose Fitness 3130 Mathis Airport Pkwy Suwanee 678.525.6347 higherpurposefitness.com

BEST MUSIC VENUE OUTDOOR Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

2200 Encore Pkwy. 404.733.5050 vzwamp.com

Best Happy Hour Best Nachos Best Salsa Multiple Locations throughout Atlanta Visit tinlizzyscantina.com for more info!

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre has quickly become the favorite music venue in Atlanta. Set on 45 acres of beautifullylandscaped wooded land in Alpharetta, the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park provides an incredible setting for a concert. Highlights from this past summer include: Zac Brown Band, Rod Stewart and O.A.R.

BEST NACHOS BEST SALSA BEST HAPPY HOUR Tin Lizzy’s Cantina

11 Metro Area Locations tinlizzysatlanta.com Crispy, fresh tortilla chips with gluten-free available. All their salsas are gluten free including guacamole and queso.

Come out for their Half Way To Cinco Celebration November 5 - 7 with live music and drink specials.

BEST ROCK CLUB 529 529 Flat Shoals Ave

404.228.6769 529atlanta.com

This popular East Atlanta Dive Bar has a large following due to their cool bartenders, great drinks and atmosphere.

Check out Red Rocket Deluxe (11/14); Jucifer (11/21) and Slow Parade (11/28).

Not all Boot Camps are alike. Higher Purpose Fitness burns fat fast. They offer 45 minute high energy sessions to get you in and out. Their trainers are highly certified with degrees from top nationally recognized organizations.

BEST CAR WASH Mister Car Wash Midtown 404.876.3232 Buckhead 404.846.4040 mistercarwash.com

At Mister Car Wash they know how good it feels to drive a clean car. Everything their staff does is focused on providing the best car wash and customer service in the industry.

Their formula is simple; make people feel good by delivering a clean, dry and shiny car every time.

BEST CARDIO CLASS BEST CROSSFIT Unit 2 Fitness

240 Ponce De Leon Ave. 404.745.3019 unit2fitness.com

Whether it be Brazilian Jiujitsu, Kickboxing, Boxing or Mixed Martial Arts you know you are being instructed by the best.

The staff is comprised of World Champion martial artists who have competed at the highest levels. Their gym offers free weights, machines, and cardio equipment.

Best Of Continues on Page 16

The Only Thing We Over Look is the Park!

Atlanta’s Best Patio!

1/2 Off Sushi Nightly from 10pm–Midnight Wine Wednesday – 1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine

When It rains We Pour $1 Drafts! • parktavern.com PG 14 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

COMEDY

TOO COOL FOR OLD SCHOOL Comic Kevin Nealon Lives in the Moment

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

C

URRENTLY HE’S KNOWN FOR a series of offbeat commercials, but affable performer Kevin Nealon has a long history of comedic roles in television, films and clubs. After a nine-year stint during arguably the best period of Saturday Night Live’s sporadic history, Nealon was a featured player in the quirky ensemble of Weeds. His work in Adam Sandler’s films, including last year’s “Blended,” consistently transcend the material. His specials and book confirm his mastery of traditional stand-up but Nealon continues to hone and redefine his craft for modern audiences. On a recent early morning Nealon spoke with INsite about comedy trends and the tour that brings him back to Atlanta this month.

Besides being a bit of spokesman for atrial fibrillation on the Xarelto commercials, your recent “Hans and Franz” revival ads for State Farm were really clever. Do you enjoy revisiting those characters?

Well State Farm wanted to resurrect classic characters from SNL including Hans and Franz. So it’s fun to put on those padded muscle suits. On the show we just got some grey sweatsuits and stuffed them.

It was great to be back working with Dana [Carvey] again. Those two characters are so pathetic and sad they made us laugh more than anything else we did.

…I WANT TO STAY UP ON MUSIC AND I WANT TO STAY UP ON TECHNOLOGY SO I’M NOT THE OLD FOGEY DAD.

There was a “Hans and Franz” movie in the works at one time, correct?

We wrote a movie back in the ‘90s with Conan O’Brien and Robert Smigel.

We were co-producing it with Arnold Schwarzenegger and he was going to costar in it with us. It turned out really good and it actually turned into a musical which is really funny in itself. But I guess Arnold got cold feet after parodying himself in “Last Action Hero,” and he kind of balked on it.

And when you play these alternative rooms, do you change your act to fit their mindset?

You have to work on it. These alternative rooms have been around for like 20 years.

But I remember the first time I first started going to them in Los Angeles, I’d see guys like Taylor Negron and Patton Oswalt.

When I got up there I felt like I’d never done stand-up before, like it was my first time on stage.

How do you describe the differences in that kind of comedy and NOVEMBER 12-14 the so-called oldschool comedy?

Improv It’s a lot of attitude and venting and improvatlanta.com obscure observations.

I think it’s more about storytelling. It’s not a set-up with a punchline or misdirection it’s just an observational attitude. It’s like, “How You’ve been a comedy writer and absurd that I was in this situation today at performer since the early ‘80s. Where the cleaners. I’m like, this guy’s thinking do you fit in within the grand scheme of that and I’m thinking this. And do we comedy at this point? Do the changes in really need to have that?” It’s like that. modern comedy styles force you to revise your own material?

You’re in the middle of these new comics I’m not sure where I’m at now but with your “New Material” nights at The something stands out in my mind about Laugh Factory in L.A. Do you still do that very thing. I think about 10 years ago those shows?

I played at a college and one of the girls Oh yeah. Since I have an eight-year-old, from the board was driving me back to I want to stay up on music and I want to the airport the next morning. She said, stay up on technology so I’m not the old “I really liked your act.” Then she paused and she goes, “Old school.” I cringed when fogey dad. And it’s the same with comedy.

So once a month I do this “new material” I heard that! So I’ve been going to these night and host and interview the comics. “alternative” comedy rooms to see what’s I didn’t know who the new comics were going on and perform there so I won’t and what they were doing, so it’s kind of a become that old-time comic that I saw window for me to see what’s going on out when I was growing up. there in the clubs.

KEVIN NEALON

Any plans to resurrect it?

We’re planning to remake it as a cartoon like for Adult Swim or something and we’re excited about that. I think it will be a great cartoon because you can do a lot of things with it.

insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 15

BEST CROSSFIT & CARDIO CLASS F I T N E S S

SIGN UP TODAY! NEW CLASSES STARTING

11,000 SQ/FT Gym in Midtown • 240 Ponce De Leon Ave. ATL, GA 30308

Best Of Continued from Page 14

BEST HEALTH CLUB Urban Body Fitness

500 Amsterdam Ave. 404.885.1499 urbanbodyfitness.com Voted Best in Atlanta by INsite readers four years running, Urban Body is a favorite destination for those looking to get fit intown. Their attention to detail from the clean towels, most up to date machines and fresh brewed gourmet coffee and tea makes their members fans.

BEST MARTIAL ARTS BEST FITNESS CENTER Knuckleup Fitness

tion and at great prices. View films on-site in their 62 channel hi-def video arcade.

Their open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

BEST ART SUPPLY Binders

Buckhead 404.237.6331; Ponce City 404.682.6999 bindersart.com The place to go for all your art supply needs. Their staff are accomplished artists themselves that can offer knowledgeable and caring customer service.

BEST CD STORE CD Warehouse

Roswell 770.518.3300; Duluth 770.623-1552; Town Center 770.425.3472 cdwarehouseatl.com They have 10,000 used CD’S for plus all the new releases. They pay cash for used Blu-ray, CD’s, DVD’s and games. If you can’t find it, they will special order it for you.

Chastain Park 4540 Roswell Rd. Alpharetta 5815 Windward Pkwy knuckleupfitness.com 404.339.kick Knuckleup Fitness is an alternative fitness club that combines traditional gym services such as Kickboxing and Indoor HIGHER PURPOSE Cycling with Muay Thai and Mixed Martial arts classes. Their state of the art gyms offer great sparring and sports training. BEST CONSIGNMENT BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING Sign up for KU CrossFit at theirSotto new gym Sotto 313 N. Highland Ave. (404) 523-6678 Exhibits Performances in Chastain Buckhead / Sandy Springs. urestaurnats.net Rag-O-Rama With Sotto Sotto, chef-owner Atlanta Ballet Roméo et Juliette Atlanta Botanical Garden 1111envisioned Euclid Avea 404.658.1988 Riccardo Ullio Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre February 14, 7 - 11:00 pm BEST MASSAGE 6500 Roswell Rd. 404.497.0701 BEST BOOT (404) 817- 8700 atlantaballet.com restaurant serving all the delica(404) 876-5859 atlantabotanicalgarden.org ragorama.com February 6 - 14 TicketsCAMP! start at $20 in Milan, cies from his childhood $32 per person (Members $25) LaVida Massage Italy. Now this cozy authentic Both Rag-O-Rama stores are filled with Jean-Christophe 5944 Roswell Rd. 404.236.7291 Enjoy an elegant Italian spot in historic Inman spectacular men’s and women’s fashions Maillot’s Roméo et evening of music, LaVidaMassage.com Park is one of Atlanta’s premier Sotto Sotto and accessories.

Theyrestaurants. carry an ever changJuliette is back by dancing, cockoffers a romantically lit intimate dining room perfect for ing inventory that includes brand names, popular demand in tails, desserts and the special evening.

The celebrated menu is accompanied designer labels and vintage styles.

Find the this alluring, orchids at the priceswine in town with reservations tons of outfits by an inspiringbest all-Italian list. Make early. etheral production most romantic arriving daily.

3130 Mathis Airport Pkwy, Suite 301, that redefines the spot in Atlanta.

Bhojanic Decatur 404.633.9233 Buckhead 404.841.8472 classic Suwanee, love storyGA 30024 Take a romantic bhojanic.com Bhojanic has been serving Atlanta for of the two678.525.6347 starstroll through the BEST JEWELRY STORE over twenty years in Decatur and now also is in Buckhead crossed lovers of Verona. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, tropical conservaHigherPurposeFitness.com at Shops Around Lenox. Both locations offer intimate Alexander’s of Atlanta Roméo et Juliette takes you on an emotional, cinematic tories, sample heart-melting treats, specialtyofcocktails settingsisand LaVidasipMassage Sandy Springs a live music. journey that will leave you breathless in anticipation. from cash bars, dance to live unique entertainment, and explore concept in health and wellness that 2891 N. Druid Hills Rd Toco Hills Orchid Daze: Pop Art! by night.

Jewelry provides affordable therapeutic massage Shopping Center 404.634.3197 Atlanta Symphony Hall From the Heart and esthetic services. Their products and alexandersofatlanta.com Woodruff Arts Center Alexander’s of Atlanta Dining one the634-1397 most established and services are specifically designed to meet (404) 733-4200 woodruffcenter.org 2891 N. DruidAs Hills Rd.of (404) respected jewelers in the needs of both men and women February 13 & 14 8:00 pm Agave agaverestaurant.com alexandersofatlanta.com Atlanta, Alexander’s through: relaxation, deep tissue, couples 242 Boulevard SE (404) 588-0006 What's more romantic on Valentine's Day than taking your Atlanta hasabeen strong hot stone, SwedishAlexander’s massage. Ofmaintains Cabbagetown is theand perfect significant other out for an evening of love songs with your This romantic eatery nestled inmassage, among the most respected jewcommitment to the place to celebrate with that ASO. Conductor Michael elers in Atlantahigh for over 50 years.

BEST SPA standard of qualspecial someone.

For Krajewski and singer/ songThey have a steadfast commitity and service that Valentine's Day weekend, writer Tony DeSare have ment to providing the highest Urban Body Studios one would expect Agave has added to their award730 Ponce De Leon Pl 404.885.1499 created a special night of quality products and professionfromtheir a fine jewelry winning southwestern menu music made just for the al service. Have friendly, establishment. some playful dishes meant tourbanbodystudios.com experienced staff romantics of the world. assist you in picking out the perfect piece free weights • machines • cardio be shared. Call for details;Treat yourself to their extensive Come share in the magic of someone in your life. Let Alexander’s Of formenu that special of BEST MUSIC STORE reservations recommended. spa and salon services performed this unforgettable evening.

Atlanta Valentine’s Day unforgettable! by make an this expert team of hair stylists, skin therapist, Guitar Center and massage therapists. They offer an 4 Locations guitarcenter.com g OT E DFOR VOTING US BEST 4 YEARS IN A ROW! e Ma azine THANKS exclusive line of products which include Your one stop shop for guitars, amps, keysit Dermalogica, Eminence, Kevin Murphy, boards, drums, basses, recording equipBest of and Pureology. ment, mics, accessories and more. With Atlanta the most knowledgeable staff in town.

2014 ’s

IN

(404)745-3019 • UNIT2FITNESS.com

BEST HEALTH FULL CATERING AVAILABLE C SERVICE LUB

WINNER!

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY AT BHOJANIC PPRIVATE R I VAT E DI N I NG AND A N D OFF OF F PREMISE PREMISE DINING

T TRADITIONAL R A D I T I O N A L INDIAN I N D I A NFOOD F O O DINI NA A NNON O N T TRADITIONAL R A D I T I O N A L ATMOSPHERE AT M O S P H E R E

BUCKHEAD | 404.841.8472

D E C AT U R | 4 0 4 . 6 3 3 . 9 2 3 3

Shops Around Lenox

J u s t N ort h of N . D e c at u r a n d Clairmont Rd Intersection

BEST ADULT STORE BEST ADULT TOYS Starship

22 Metro Area Locations 404.766.6993 shopstarship.com An Atlanta favorite for those into the erotic. Thousands of videos, dvd’s, adult toys, condoms, candles and novelties to meet whatever your desire. Their 22 locations make Starship a convenient one stop shop.

BEST ADULT MOVIES Southern Nights

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 404.728.0701 With over 10,000 DVD’s for sale or rent, Southern Nights has Atlanta’s widest selec-

500 Amsterdam Ave. Atlanta . GA 30306 Tel.: (404) 885-1499 PGUBF_ad.indd 16 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com 1

RETAIL

10/22/15 2:33 PM

BEST SMOKE SHOP Smoke 911

4 Locations shopsmoke911.com The place to go from everything for your smoking needs. You will also find adult novelties, incense, posters, vaporizers, aromatherapy and more.

BEST THRIFT STORE The Nearly New Shop

2927 N. Druid Hills Rd. Toco Hills Shopping Center 404.355.3547 nearlynewshopatl.org The Junior League of Atlanta’s Nearly New Shop has served hundreds of thousands of customers since opening their doors in 1949. They offer gently used merchandise including designer clothing and household items. Proceeds benefit Atlanta non-profit.

TV

Station Control

TRASH IS THE NEW ART

BY BENJAMIN CARR

W

RITER-PRODUCERS OF THE bygone era whose names were synonymous with quality television: Norman Lear (All in the Family), James L. Brooks (The Simpsons, Mary Tyler Moore), Stephen Bochco (L.A. Law, NYPD Blue), David E. Kelley (Picket Fences, Ally McBeal), David Simon (Homicide, The Wire) and David Chase (The Sopranos) have been replaced with the likes of Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy. With today’s producers, what we get in terms of quality feels more like grand trash than great art. But the most addictive, reliable TV has always been that.

Rhimes powerhouse hits are long in the tooth but still watchable even though they killed McDreamy Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, one of the most fun shows on TV. Murphy has been churning out lots of mostly hit shows since Nip/Tuck. His shows are generally oversexed, musical, nutty affairs that concentrate on style and shock first, logic and plot almost never.

Shows like Nip/Tuck and Glee are usually good for a season or two, then they spectacularly implode or just go completely off the rails, but never stop. His current offerings are Scream Queens on Fox and the continuing anthology American Horror Story: Hotel.

Scream Queens is a hoot, the best new show of the fall season. It stars Emma Roberts as the fasttalking, wonderful Chanel, the president of the most evil sorority, and Jamie Lee Curtis as the dean who wants the sorority to fall. In the midst of their struggle, a serial killer dressed as The Sales Rep:Red Devil hacks up one character a week, generally in Final Visual HMN an amusing fashion.

So far, Hotel is something of a mess. This is the first season without usual star Jessica Lange, who

Lady GaGa in American Horror Story: Hotel

Thanks Atlanta

For Voting Us As Atlanta’s Best Art Supply Store for 4 Consecutive Years!

SERVING ATLANTA FROM TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS BUCKHEAD

PONCE CITY MARKET

held even the weakest of plots together with sheer 3330 Piedmont Rd, Suite 18 650 North Ave NE, Suite 102 verve. In her place, Murphy has given us Lady Atlanta, GA 30305 Atlanta, GA 30308 Gaga, who in a couple uncomfortable episodes 404.237.6331 404.682.6999 has yet to come across as an actress playing a role. Generally her character of the Countess, a vampire who lives at the Hotel Cortez, just feels like a variation on Lady Gaga’s various stage personae. Without Lange as the glue to hold the YOUR PURCHASE OF $75 OR MORE show together, it just feels like a collage of shocks: *Coupon valid through 12/31/15. Not valid in combination with other coupons or a rape, a defenestration, weirdo zombie vampire previous sales. Excludes Pantone and Art Classes. One coupon per customer per transaction. BOA10OFF7515 kids. There is nothing at the center of American Horror Story which usually doesn’t fall apart this For more information visit: www.BindersArt.com quickly into the season. This does not bode well for Murphy’s next project AmericanTue Crime- Story: The mcac 09/25/2012 - 11:54:13 AM 313103.9600 People vs. O.J. Simpson, starring John Travolta, David Schwimmer and Cuba Gooding Jr.

$10 OFF*

Creativity Community Connected

Georgia Licensed Therapists | Open 7 Days a Week Extended Hours

$30 OFF

One Hour Custom Massage Session Reg. $69.95 For New Clients Only with Coupon Exp. 12/15/15

Gift Cards Available

BEST THRIFT SHOP!

Clip It. . . Book It. . . Love It!

One Hour Custom Massage Session

Reg. $6995 For New Clients with coupon

Exp: 11/30/12 vp

Therapeutic • Convenient • Affordable

www.valpak.com There are more savings online for you ™

Kennesaw LaVida Massage of • Suite 201 1635 Old 41 Hwy Sandy Springs Kennesaw, GA 30152 5944 Roswell Road 678.354.1161 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Gift Cards Available LaVidaMassage.com (404) 236-7291 ©Valpak , 10/2012.

LaVidaMassage.com BEST MASSAGE ®

Custom Signature Facial

Custom Couples Massage

Reg. $5995 For New Clients with coupon Exp: 11/30/12 vp

Reg. $13995 For New Clients with coupon Exp: 11/30/12 vp

Advertise with Valpak of Atlanta, (678) 500-8182

$5TotalOFF Bill! with purchase of $20 or More. Coupon required. No duplicates.

Expires: 12-31-15

313103.9600

THIS IS A FINAL VISUAL OF YOUR AD. COLORS DISPLAYED HERE WILL NOT MATCH THE PRINTED AD EXACTLY. This is not an opportunity to make changes. Thank you for choosing Valpak® Direct Marketing Systems, Inc. (“Valpak®”).

As a healthy young female

, you have the power to give the gift of life and love.

You can help a couple build the family they’ve dreamed of by donating your eggs...and receive $7,000 for doing it! Donation is completely confidential and health screening is provided at no charge. If you are a non-smoking female between the ages of 21 and 31 and are interested in more information about egg donation, please visit our website or e-mail us at

donor@ivf.com

Gently used merchandise, including designer clothing, household items, toys, books, jewelry & furniture. Proceeds from the store benefit the Atlanta non-profit community.

Toco Hill Shopping Center 2927 North Druid Hills Road • Atlanta, GA 30329

404-355-3547 • nearlynewshopatl.org

insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 17

TV

MOVIES

Movie Reviews BRIDGE OF SPIES (PG-13)

1/2 There are movies and there are Spielberg movies.

Bridge of Spies is a Spielberg movie. The director combines the best of the masters who inspired him and the young filmmakers he’s inspired.

Bridge of Spies brings a chunk of history that’s remembered vaguely, if at all, to entertaining life. It’s suspenseful and dramatic, yet funnier than many comedies, probably thanks to the Coen Brothers’ retooling of the original script.

Tom Hanks stars as James Donovan, a former Nuremberg prosecutor turned borderline-sleazy insurance lawyer, who in 1957 is virtually drafted to defend accused Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), who’s been captured in New York. It was meant to be a charade to show that everyone gets a fair trial in America, but no one counted on Donovan’s integrity. (They didn’t know he’d be played by Tom Hanks one day.) Abel avoids the death penalty when Donovan, with amazing prescience, persuades the judge he might be useful one day in an exchange for one of our spies. That day comes quickly when Air Force pilot Francis Gary Powers is shot down in a spy plane, and Donovan is sent to East Germany to negotiate the deal because the government can’t appear to be involved. Now that we’re in another “cold war” with the Soviets it’s wise to brush up on what happened in the last one, and this is a great way to do it.

–Steve Warren

CRIMSON PEAK (R)

 At his best (Pan’s Labyrinth), Guillermo del Toro makes horror movies that are more eerie and spooky than bloody and terrifying. Crimson Peak finds him at his second-best, still more classy than commercial, teasing with a ghost or two but telling a Gothic romance akin to Gaslight.

It’s visually superb with magnificent production design. If not for some new-fangled horseless carriages it could be set in the 19th century.

Edith (Mia Wasikowska) sees dead people. Her mother’s ghost first visited her when she was ten. Now she’s 24 and wants to be a writer. She’s written “not a ghost story, but a story with a ghost in it.” Hmmm, could be this one. Living in Buffalo with her self-made-millionaire father, she meets cash-poor Brit Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and is easily wooed. When daddy tries to keep them from marrying he is brutally murdered. Soon Edith’s living with Thomas and his sinister sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) in a gorgeous but crumbling mansion in England that sits atop potentially valuable blood-red clay.

Thomas obviously married Edith for her money.

The mystery is whether he actually loves her enough to keep her alive. There’s a lot of clayred blood and the ghosts add another visual layer without enhancing the narrative. The plot will be familiar to Turner Classic Movies viewers who have seen it told better – many times – but have never seen it look better.

–Steve Warren

GOOSEBUMPS (PG)

1/2 Georgia plays host to monsters again, this time in a family-friendly tribute to the oeuvre of R.L. Stine. The author is played by Jack Black, who’s a relative straight man here. Straighter yet is the movie’s teen hero, Zach (Dylan Minnette), who moves into the house next door in Madison, Delaware (played by Madison, Georgia), with his widowed mom (Amy Ryan). Zach acquires an instant sidekick, Champ (Ryan Lee, who scores the film’s biggest laughs), on the first day of PG 18 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

#1 WITH A MULLET

The Walking Dead’s Josh McDermitt on Eugene, Georgia & an Epic Season 6

BY BRET LOVE

F CRIMSON PEAK school; and a potential girlfriend, Stine’s daughter Hannah (Odeya Rush), at home. But homeschooled Hannah is kept a prisoner, Rapunzellike, by her dad. The trouble starts when Zach opens a book and releases the Abominable Snowman. Other monsters from Stine’s other books (e.g., a werewolf, a giant mantis, a robot army) soon follow, led by the author’s alter ego, the ventriloquist dummy Slappy. The mechanics are a little fuzzy. Opening the books both releases the monsters and sucks them back in, depending on what the plot requires. It all leads to the scariest high school dance since Carrie’s prom.

For a horror comedy, Goosebumps doesn’t offer much for grownups to laugh at or be afraid of; but the effects are decent and the characters affable (if they’re supposed to be), and it’s safe to bring (or better yet, send) the kids.

–Steve Warren

STEVE JOBS (R)

 Computers are like sausages: we’d rather not know what goes into them. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who was apparently a genius and a dick, has had his name in more film titles than Jesus in the last few years, but few have gone to see them. Being the best of the lot hasn’t seemed to help this Danny Boyle-directed biopic break that losing streak, despite Aaron Sorkin’s sizzling, rapid-fire dialogue. Sorkin’s script coyly crowds the most dramatic conversations of Jobs’ (Michael Fassbender) life into the moments leading up to new product launches in 1984, 1988 and 1998. There are just those three scenes, plus occasional flashbacks within them and transitional montages between them. We watch Jobs gradually become a father to the daughter he initially refuses to acknowledge, letting her mother go on welfare while his company is worth over $400 million. He also feuds amiably with former partner Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen), who begs Jobs to acknowledge the efforts of his original team; and jousts with John Sculley (Jeff Daniels), who fires Jobs after Jobs hires him as Apple’s first CEO. The action is refereed by Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet), Apple’s marketing manager who also serves here as Jobs’ personal assistant. She’s Polish but Winslet doesn’t make her accent a priority. I enjoyed most of it but perhaps my favorite moment was the opening clip (undated) of Arthur C. Clarke predicting the ubiquity of computers by 2001. I also loved when Jobs essentially mocks the script’s structure: “It’s like five minutes before every launch, everybody goes to a bar and gets drunk and tells me what they really think of me.” How can you hate a movie that’s so self-aware?

–Steve Warren See the rest of our movie reviews at insiteatlanta.com/movies.asp

OR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T watched cable’s #1 show (which draws around 14 million viewers a week), Josh McDermitt plays Eugene, a mullet-wearing former science teacher who crafted “a top-shelf lie to which a person with strength and heroism could apply their talents.” In short, he tricked his traveling companions into believing he was a brilliant scientist who could reverse the effects of the airborne virus and save the world, all so that the survivors would protect him from deathby-zombie.

Needless to say, Eugene probably doesn’t rank on most people’s list of favorite Walking Dead characters. But both the original comic book and the TV show’s stunning Season 6 premiere episode suggest that he may be on his way to redemption before the Grim Reaper comes a-calling.

Whether that will be sooner or later is anyone’s guess.

We go a chance to talk with McDermitt, a former standup comedian, about his hardcore Walking Dead fandom, his take on what makes Eugene tick, and what Season 6 has in store.

is why he’s been able to keep living for so long. I hope that Eugene has many more years ahead in this apocalypse, but we’ll see.

Anyone can go at any moment on this show which keeps things exciting.

How do you feel about the way fans feel about Eugene?

Fans didn’t love Eugene at first, but they’ve come around. They’re like, “He’s such a horrible person,” yet they don’t care that Rick bit the neck out of some guy and killed him! But I love the fans and I’m a fan myself.

You got your start doing improv comedy in L.A. and you were a contestant on Last Comic Standing. So your career was headed in a a fan, do you like the fact THE PEOPLE OF As different direction before The that the show runners are GEORGIA ARE taking their own creative Walking Dead?

Yeah, I was strictly a TERRIFIC AND direction and not seeing comedian. I was on a sitcom. comic’s storyline as a HAVE WELCOMED the Every commercial I booked definitive path? was comedic. But I always Absolutely. I like that it THIS ENTIRE knew I could do drama. keeps us on our toes. There are SHOW WITH When I told my agent to things you can do on the show OPEN ARMS. that you can’t do in the comic, start booking me for drama auditions, The Walking Dead and vice versa. Rick, in the was the first thing that I went out for. comics, is missing one hand. They can’t do that to Andrew Lincoln on the TV show because it Were you a fan of the show at that point? would make everything harder to film. Daryl I was a HUGE fan. My friends and family is not even in the comic. Andrea is alive in the would all get together on Sunday nights and comic, but dead on the show. Carol’s made it watch the show. It was definitely one of my much farther than she did in the comic. But it favorite shows, Mad Men was another, and I all goes back to how much people care about ended up booking a recurring role on that as this show. This is the fans’ show. well. I only want to work on shows that I’m a fan of.

You’re attending the Walker-Stalker Con at the end of October. What’s it like to be How did you get the role on The Walking surrounded by TWD fans?

Dead?

It’s super incredible! The thing I like about I did a straight-up audition. They don’t tell them is that they’re very fan-centric. There you who the character is and they give you are people I meet at different Walker-Stalker material that’s not from the script. It was all Cons who become friends while standing in very secretive because they don’t want the line, or because they had adjoining rooms information to get out, and I didn’t know in the hotel. You end up seeing people who I was reading for. It’s cool that they do dressed as you and people dressed as other that because it protects the show. characters. It’s this family-style atmosphere, and it’s so much fun.

How did you get a handle on Eugene’s character?

What are your thoughts about my native What I love about him is that he’s the state of Georgia? I know you spend a lot of most unlikely of survivors. Daryl, Michonne time here. and Abraham are ripe for survival in this The people of Georgia are terrific and world, but the fact that this guy relies on have welcomed this entire show with open other people to survive from day-to-day arms. We’ve infiltrated their neighborhoods is fascinating to me. I usually play dumb and displaced people so we could shoot characters who like to screw off so this was this stupid little zombie show and everyone opposite of anything I’ve done before, which couldn’t have been more accommodating. It drew me to the role. Eugene felt like his doesn’t matter where we go out in Georgia only way to survive was to manipulate and the fans have been incredible and we lie. He’s an extremely intelligent guy which love them.

MUSIC

BERET AND THE BEAT

Late Night’s Anton Fig Begins a New Chapter of his Musical Life basically the starting point for everything.

Once I had all the songs together then I had to see about recording them separately. It was a long time coming because it’s the sum of all my influences and people that I’ve worked with.

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

I

N THREE DECADES AS THE PULSE of David Letterman’s sidekick bands, first on Late Night and then on Late Show, drummer Anton Fig became one of the most-heard drummers of all-time. Now that the Letterman dynasty is done, the Every song is different and each track South African-born and New York-based features a completely different line-up of drummer and songwriter is players. continuing his journeyman Right. I figure as long as I’m status that began in the ‘70s. playing drums and producing After years of playing on it all seems unified because great records by KISS, Ace of that commonality. With Frehley, Cyndi Lauper and NOV. 20 & 21 the digital age it’s all about many others, the beretFox Theatre playlists so in a way this is a topped musician has finally playlist record. foxtheatre.org issued an album under his own name. The recently Do you think you’ll ever do reissued Figments is a selfan all-star band and lead from behind the produced and released sound collage with drums like Ringo? a myriad of special guests including Brian That would be great and I have thought Wilson and Fig’s former bandleader Paul about it but I’ve never really considered it Shaffer. Now that he’s not anchored to a so much as a touring thing, just more of daily grind at the Ed Sullivan Theater, his a studio album. There’s so many logistics current travels bring him to Atlanta on an involved in trying to get everyone together. international tour with blues genius Joe At the moment I’m on the road myself, Bonamassa. Fig spoke with INsite from his playing with Joe and I’m selling the record at home studio in NYC. the shows.

JOE BONAMASSA

This album has been a long time coming in several ways.

Well, when you have a steady job like I had with Letterman it takes a while. I had collected a bunch of songs and that was

How does it feel to be out on tour after being based in New York City for so long?

It’s much different than I’m used to, being in town all the time and coming home for dinner and then going out to play at a

club or just doing sessions in the day. But I thought it might be nice to try something like this with people I know

How’s it going so far?

We just finished our “Three Kings” tour, celebrating the music of BB, Albert and Freddy. It’s been really fun. Joe’s great and it’s a really cool organization. The tour has been amazing. We played Red Rocks and DVD’d the last show of the tour at The Greek. We’ve played some fairly large places so in the fall I think it’ll be indoor theaters and it should be really, really nice.

Dave’s final show was in May. What was it like from the inside?

It was pretty surreal. I couldn’t really wrap my head around what was happening even though I knew it was coming. They’d told us about a year out that he was going to retire, but it didn’t seem real until maybe the last month. Even then it was a parade of people coming by to say goodbye and all that. It was just kind of hard. After the show there was a party, and you just couldn’t go up to everyone. I went up to Letterman, shook his hand and said thank you. It was sort of like a death in the fact that it was this living organism made up of people. And those people will never come back together again.

It was almost too big to grasp the whole enormity of it.

There’s a great clip on YouTube shot from

behind your kit.

Yeah, I took my camera on stage and I decided I was just gonna shoot it right when the show was done. It looks like everyone’s just in a daze, the audience is in a daze. It’s almost like it’s in slow-motion. They told us we had to get our stuff out of there and so by 10 in the morning the next day, my drums were gone and the studio was pretty much flattened. It was completely over.

So what’s next for you?

Right now, I’m just touring and playing live in a successful operation and it feels like a really good thing to be doing. I just want to keep going and getting better as a musician and as a person.

JOE BONAMASSA FRIDAY, TH NOV 20

&

SATURDAY, ST NOV 21

FOXTHEATRE.ORG

THE FOX THEATRE BOX OFFICE OR CALL 855-285-8499 insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 19

FILM

MUSIC

NEW RELEASES THE LATEST DVD, BLU RAY & VOD RELEASES

BY BRET LOVE AND JOHN MOORE

Mr Warmth! Don Rickles: The Ultimate TV Collection For a generation that only knows him as Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story, this 8-disc DVD set is a warm reminder of the golden age of comedy and the man who turned roasting into an art form. The collection includes all 37 episodes of Rickles’ ‘70s sitcom, CPO Sharkey, as well as four classic TV specials featuring his famous friends (see: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bob Newhart, John Wayne, etc.). At age 89, Rickles is still touring and killing ‘em with cutting quips.

There will never be another like him.

Mad Men: The Final Season, Part 2 With all due respect to Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, AMC owes much of its relevance to Mad Men. In 2007, this show about a 1960s ad agency proved that television could be just as important as movies. By the 7th season it had lost some of its luster, thanks to long breaks between seasons and the decision to divide the final season into two parts. But the show ends on a brilliant, trippy note that seems wholly appropriate for the era as well as the personality of the enigmatic Don Draper.

Pee Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special

Looking back, it’s surreal that this wackadoodle show ever made it on network TV. It had cast members (including Phil Hartman and Laurence Fishburne) culled from The Groundlings comedy troupe, psychedelic set design that looked like the bastard child of Salvador Dali and Keith Haring, and oddball music from Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo. This Xmas special is just as wacky as you’d expect, with kitschy celebs like Charo, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Little Richard and Grace Jones dropping in… as they do.

The Saint: Seasons 1 & 2 Years before Roger Moore succeeded Sean Connery as James Bond, he became famous for playing a different secret agent man, Simon Templar. Based on the novels written by Leslie Charteris between 1928 and 1963, the show cast Moore as a debonair, mysterious modern-day Robin Hood who steals from criminals and keeps the spoils for himself. The first two seasons are in black and white, and notable for early use of breaking the fourth wall. Wild and witty, the show remains a fun action-adventure romp 007 fans will enjoy.

Soul Boys of the Western World A documentary about Spandau Ballet (part of the early ‘80s New Romantic movement alongside Duran Duran and OMD) seems like an odd sell on the surface. The band generated Beatles-like hysteria around the world for a brief period, thanks to their enduring 1983 earworm “True.” This doc covers their breakup in 1990 and ends with their reconciliation in 2009. Though no one was really clamoring for a Spandeau Ballet film, Soul Boys is impressive thanks to its loose feel and frank interviews.

pilates • yoga • TRX • urban burn

BEST S PA

730 Ponce De Leon Pl NE . Atlanta . GA 30306 Tel.: (404) 201-7994

UBF_ad.indd 2 PG 20 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

Album Reviews

REVIEWS BY BRET LOVE, LEE VALENTINE SMITH AND JOHN B. MOORE

BEN FOLDS So There

(New West) For a generation who came of age in the ‘90s, Ben Folds is every bit as iconic as piano-pop elder statesmen like Joe Jackson, Elton John and Billy Joel. The North Carolina native may have started as an alt-rock prankster who billed the Ben Folds Five as “punk rock for sissies,” but the snark and sarcasm behind tunes like “Underground” belied a serious songwriting talent with classical music training (he actually attended University of Miami on a percussion scholarship).

His post-BFF career has seen plenty of zigs and zags, from mainstream-accessible solo work (see: Rockin’ the Suburbs) and bizarro collaborations (see: Weird Al, William Shatner, author Nick Hornby) to movie soundtracks and a cappella music (see: judging NBC’s The Sing-Off ). So this album, which finds him going into full-on orchestral pop mode, doesn’t seem as much like a surprise as it does the continuation of a 20-year musical career whose sole unifying principle is constant reinvention via experimentation.

The album is essentially divided into two parts: The first 8 songs find him working with New York chamber group yMusic Ensemble, the last three consist of his “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra,” which was cocommissioned by the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Ballet and Minnesota Orchestra.

Though the 3-movement, 21-minute epic is intriguing, blending elements of classical music, pop and jazz like a modern-day Aaron Copland or Leonard Bernstein, it’s the work with yMusic that brings out Ben’s best.

The opening track, “Capable of Anything,” is one of Folds’ finest in years: As the lyrics muse on a failed relationship and the best and worst elements humanity has to offer, flutes flit and flutter above, strings add a dramatic undercurrent and the piano provides syncopated counterpoint to the melancholy melody. On the gorgeously romantic waltz balladry of “Not A Fan,” he questions whether cultural differences will ultimately tear his relationship apart.

Not everything here is so serious: On the infectiously poppy “Phone in a Pool” he channels ELO while joking/not joking about his romantic failures, while “F10-D-A” is a willfully crude musical pun (“f ’d in the a with a big fat d”) that reduces the orchestral ensemble to childlike giggles. But it’s somber, contemplative songs like“I’m Not the Man” that seem truest to the man— and the songwriter– Ben Folds has grown to be: Older, wiser, bruised by four divorces, and trying to remain hopeful about the future while mourning his past.

The album (like the man) isn’t perfect, but it’s better than anything his piano-pop peers have released in years.

–Bret Love

Maia Sharp

The Dash Between the Dates

(Eone Music) It’s impressive enough just to mention a few 10/22/15 2:34 PM

of the artists who’ve recorded songs written by talented Maia Sharp. The includes Cher, the Dixie Chicks, Keb Mo, Crystal Bowersox, Lisa Loeb, Trisha Yearwood, Paul Carrack, Kathy Mattea, Edwin McCain and Mindy Smith. She has also produced recordings for Bowersox, McCain and Art Garfunkel.

But her sixth solo album follows what she’s called a “crisis of passion” in several recent interviews. In lesser hands that would mean a possible career-derailing case of writer’s block but the fertile imagination of Sharp whittled it into a wedge of creativity. The initial result was “Phoenix,” the secondbest song on the disc. Evocative of Dan Fogelberg’s song of the same name from 1979, this track also evokes personal rebirth while heralding universal victory over defeat. The best moment of the album is the first single, the charmingly disarming “Nothing But The Radio.” In another era this could have scored as an inescapable hit record but in today’s overwhelmed climate it’ll likely remain a well-received staple of Sharp’s low-key live show. For the fortunate listeners who’ll discover the album, it’ll stand as a memorable highlight among a strong cache of melodic folk-rock, including the gentle prod of “You Know Where I’ll Be,” “I Don’t Want Anything To Change” and “Little Bottles.” Guests include Dave Stewart, co-author of “Maybe Tonight” and fellow singer-songwriter Gabe Dixon, offering predictably serviceable backing on “Underneath.” Definitely worth seeing out for fans of melodic, ‘70s-influenced pop vocalists.

–Lee Valentine Smith

Bruce Sudano

The Burbank Sessions

(Purple Heart Recordings) Active in the music industry since the mid‘60s, Bruce Sudano is best known for being on the sidelines of many majorlabel successes.

Even as leader of Brooklyn Dreams in the ‘70s, he was overshadowed by his contributions to his wife Donna Summer’s catalog of hits and her overall Detroit soul-meets-Brooklyn grit sound that he helped popularize. The 2000’s have been a prolific yet turbulent time for the talented singer-songwriter as he returned to recording solo albums and survived the loss of his beloved spouse. The Burbank Sessions, the follow-up to 2013’s introspective With Angels On A Carousel, represents a bit of a creative catharsis in which Sudano roams free across a number of challenging genres.

Fleshing out the sonic sketches that Life and the Romantic (2009) exhibited, his mastery of Americana roots rock is at the core of the essential set. As usual, he liberally mixes jazz and blues into the pot in the tradition of Randy Newman or Joe South, but the real winning tracks on the collection are led by the defiant jubilance of “Why Aren’t You Here.”

It’s appropriately bookended by the shifting personal perspectives of “One Beautiful Life” and the emotive insight of “Alone.”

–Lee Valentine Smith

For a full list of our album reviews, please visit insiteatlanta.com

BY BRET LOVE

K, AN U !

TH YONTA LA AT

Z

IGGY MARLEY ONCE SANG, “If you don’t know your past, you don’t know your future.” If that’s true, the ladies of Atlanta alt-country act Granville Automatic could prove to be sage prognosticators.

Named after a 19th century typewriter, the duo– Elizabeth Elkins and Vanessa Olivarez– came together in 2009. Vocalist Olivarez, an American Idol finalist who went on to co-write songs for Sugarland, was looking to start a country band. Guitarist Elkins, who divided her time between fronting Atlanta rock band The Swear and songwriting sessions in Nashville, proved the perfect partner.

Within a year they’d written over 100 songs, with a sound that recalls iconic artists like Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. But while Granville Automatic’s music draws its influences from classic country traditions, their lyrics are rooted in true stories culled from American history.

The band’s second album, An Army Without Music, finds them delving deeper into stories from the Civil War South. We recently spoke to the duo in depth about the excellent album’s inspiration.

We love to dig for stories people haven’t heard yet.

Elizabeth: We didn’t want to write general war songs. The new record has songs sung from the perspective of a little girl, a sideboard, a doctor, a ghost… Somehow these stories just make their way to us, and sometimes it’s just about listening when you’re in a new place. But they’re all personal stories.

When did you start taking an interest in Civil War history?

Elizabeth: When we first started writing, Tell me about the field recordings you’ve we knew we wanted to tell stories through been doing on battlefields for our songs. I think it was Vanessa who first said that we IT’S THE CIVIL the Civil War Trust project.

Elizabeth: We’ve been making should write an album based WAR… WITH field recordings recorded on the Civil War. The first song live at these historic sites, to BOOBS! we wrote about it was “The capture the background noise Groundskeeper,” which is on our and everything.

So not only will you have first album and based on a ghost encounter different arrangements of the songs, but we we had at a Civil War site in Nashville. I’ve want the background noise to make people always been a huge history buff, but I hadn’t really paid attention to the land I was driving question why there’s now an interstate where this horrific battle took place. The wind has over every day here in Atlanta. When I been following us everywhere we go, but started looking at old map and new maps we really wanting to get the atmosphere overlaid, I realized that this whole Little 5 everywhere we go to record. But video Points/East Atlanta/Reynoldstown area was is so important now– you’ve got to have the site of the Battle of Atlanta, and how different it was today. That triggered the idea a YouTube presence– and we’ve got this filmmaker from L.A. named Abby Linne who for the song “Copenhill,” which was also on volunteered to help us. She’s been a lifesaver our first record. We both realized that we’ve always wanted to tell stories that would help to this project. We’ve done four now, and plan to do three more. people remember the past.

How did the idea for the new album come about?

Elizabeth: The opportunity came up to do a residency program in Florida called “Escape to Create.” When we’re on tour we go to see lots of historic sites, including Civil War battlefields. So many of them have been covered up by interstates and WalMarts. So we pitched the people who run this residency program an idea to write an album about these places where this terribly tragic history happened. They loved it, so we spent a month in Seaside, Florida writing the album.

What is it about history that makes for such fertile songwriting?

Vanessa: The cool thing about history is that you never run out of source material.

It’s kind of like shopping at Goodwill, where you have to really dig to find the good stuff:

SO ERT N

Granville Automatic Sing Stories of the Civil War South

S AD HAM N A R WIT EEDT MS OCKI M H O • N • S OVIE BR BRE THE ’ FOR H U S ET AT D PR I-FI MME IN T T E HE W OOB A CU & E • R H L IE R AN CO SENT BOS LAN E PA DRE ITH B BR E • AN D R MP C TON D T RK DGE EN OTH GO J D Y A R O ™ , R E O CR ONE CO LAN NY • OCK WITH UR P : BIG BRO ECTO RS WD FR S L D H O ID R H T R F O.A ALL WDE & TH IN HA • LA DAVI EST KANS ESE ERO HERS , DR ITH AY: E R N D J . • , E Y S A T 6 O W D P MO AM R. W ALA KAR DAP • R T SU GRA FEAT S • ED • S SBO HO ON ASSI A O PR IT I - O M Y U R B O R LC FE ON AR TLAN RE, M ESE H AL BAMA JOB KING D ST MER AND RING OCK Y RA UTHE NE A OMB LDE WIT R H T D T A N L E S E L 1 D R N RO IME AN, A SY DDI TED EN S SHA , BE WIT WAR ON E AMO YNYR 00.5 IO 10 N CI D A & TH • Z TH T H T A S D , 5 G T E A E P C LO C M E B T K H SE ASLA K • A W A LARIN PHO & TA Y CA ONE ES W EL DOYL WIT RTH LEE SKY KICK .7 FE AR F HOU NEIG C BR MOR C M MO TIO Y A MER ND ET NY O E A RL B AND ITH US E B H R TOUR WIT NYR S 10 ATU ESTI SAN HBO OWN EHO IC R I U D N N I S • R N H D 1.5 R V D R MO EST , THE D CL CAN LEEP BAC CHE D CA LACK BRYN LEE , LA AMH CHAR FEAT RA , TRA , NA ING AL P HOR S AN BAN SE C A A R IN K S N V M D U C V S E R S D D O N B U 101 IES I OUS GEOR RE D ED C G W TO TRA AAN KENN EL AINS REN LL II MA RING HAE IS T H ICO VERC ESEN ES • COL • Z LLEG .5 N T E W GIA UN RO IT T W SM ES LIO III DA • O RX B L RIT N LE TE R ON Z E AU COU HE ITH SA N • SS H S HE ITH ITH AW TT & IGL UT • T ARE YAM T, B 98 AR, D B USH Y H TOP GLE O T N P E T A B IR FU R F • T E CR E N A L .9 F Y RA OMOT TRY ARK™HOP ELLI TLAN LOOD ENS TUR OBE • A S EAT 94.9 HE G , TRI Y TO DES AKE GATA ACK AND UEL CUT • NO USE AND CLU SC IV FAI : AL TES TA D WI E RT AL UR T LO P UR CH D L • BE C , TO TE RT • D JE B AL E R P HO ON & EA RIV TH HEA SP UT ING HE RY LEE F I T AD R RR AR A RS HS AR FF • B ID I D T G E R 5 Y AN FLA FEAT RESE EL T • C THE TS L E • C NEC RTS ANO, E TO DIER BUL FIRE , DJ ATU UCK IES W WIT SMOL BL IES CIGA E HO US R BEC RYAN D C TT UR NT RA AR JO IVE HR K D TO CO AM KS L’S S • P RIN S B IT H KE AC AN R E SP UC K • HA S, ING ED NSY L B E GR !: AT IS Y EE UR ND ER BE BIG YE ROM G H AN H V JAC AN K A D A MP ITA KER SE CH T BY LV LA AN LA OU P A FE UCT ICA NT C S OT ILL D IOL OB D UT ME ORI L’S BR RIS IM CA ANI CK SD NTA NG ND ATU OR N C LEY OU AN E SON AND ENT W PA OM RIC UM R A YA J MC RL A • PR EN R WI A N NT AN G BL K ES T HY TH ON RING / LA LAS WITH TRY D TO ND G UN SHA FEM HITES IS LUOTIV N E S SO RAW AC ICK ENT RIO TH ER E O AL UR ICS K FA TO NIC ITE RO ME IDE NA N , K S S • M IC K L A !: IP N • K D, N S S

LIVING HISTORY

O M U VE US TD BE NU IC OO ST E S CO2N015 R EA C

MUSIC

Why do you think people have taken more interest in early Americana in recent years?

Elizabeth: I think people want a sense of belonging to something. My family is made up of military veterans as far back as I can go on either side, so I was raised with this idea of remembering and honoring those that came before. We wanted to write these songs to help people remember their history.

Vanessa: In our modern world of cell phones and tablets, when nobody talks to each other anymore, I feel like people really do long for a sense of tradition. I think we provide that in an unconventional way that’s not like reading from a dry history book. I think it allows people to connect to the past more easily.

Elizabeth: I think people are intrigued by the fact that it’s done by two girls, who are younger. We’re like a gateway drug to history.

Vanessa: It’s the Civil War… with boobs!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 9:00PM

TEDO STONE

SUSTO THE FUTURE BABES SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8 8:00PM

BEST RIBS & BEST BLUES!

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP FOR NOVEMBER

Friday, 6 Saturday, 7 Friday, 13 Saturday, 14

WILLY JACKSON ROUGH DRAFT SANA BLUES MR CHAPMANS REVUE Friday, 20 SMOOTH BLUES Saturday, 21 THE WILD HARES Friday, 27 FRANKIES BLUES MISSION Saturday, 28 RON COOLEY & THE HARD TIMES Sundays

STEPHEN THE BLUES DUDE Mondays THE PORK BELLYS Tuesdays CROSSTOWN ALLSTARS Wednesdays FRANKIES BLUES MISSION Thursdays CHICKENSHACK Call for Holiday Catering e-mail fatmattscatering@gmail.com or call 678-457-0275 (404) 607-1622

1811 Piedmont Ave. NE fatmattsribshack.net

AUTHOR & PUNISHER

MUSCLE & MARROW | DEAD REGISTER MONDAY NOVEMBER 9 9:00PM

THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW MILK LINES (IN THE RED) TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10 8:30PM

ELLIOT BROOD

FIREKID | BEN NEVIS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11 8:30PM

FUZZ

WALTER THE COMPARTMENTALIZATIONALISTS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12 8:30PM

NATURAL CHILD

SAINT PÉ | EASY MAGICK | LOWBANKS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17 9:00PM

HEALTH

PICTUREPLANE | NU DEPTH WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 8:30PM

SKYLAR SPENCE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20 9:00PM

HERE WE GO MAGIC

LITTLE TYBEE | BIG THIEF SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 9:00PM

LUCIS FLUX

DEL VENICCI | LOVE LETTER SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22 7:30PM

NEGATIVE APPROACH

CHILD BITE | HAWKS | NURSE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24 8:30PM

GIVERS

DOE PAORO SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 9:00PM

ALL THEM WITCHES

Tix available at Fantasyland Records, Decatur, CD, Criminal Records, The EARL & badearl.com

insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 21

MERCHANDISE

SPORTS

2014-15 NBA PREVIEW

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

Western Conference

1. SAN ANTONIO

While the Tim-Duncan-to-LaMarcus-Aldridge torch passing ceremony is touching, opposing teams know that it’s Kawhi Leonard who’s really the handful.

Eastern Conference

1. CLEVELAND

As much as the King, Kyrie and Kevin are headliners, it may be role players like Iman Shumpert and Mo Williams who ensure the city’s first championship parade in half a century.

2. MIAMI

2. GOLDEN STATE

Twelve of the 15 players from last year’s thrilling, NBA title-winning squad return, none more vital than League MVP Stephen Curry.

The Heat are loaded with regressing stars (Dwyane Wade, Amar’e Stoudemire), returning studs (Chris Bosh) and really good supporters (Hassan Whitesite, Goran Dragic).

3. OKLAHOMA CITY

3. ATLANTA

Thunder Nation had better hoped that Kevin Durant, who’s approaching free agency, can deal with new coach Bill Donovan’s game plans and Russell Westbrook’s temperamental game.

Though DeMarre Carroll’s feistiness will be missed, getting a healthy Thabo Sefolosha and Kyle Korver back should be enough to prove that the 60-win season was no aberration.

4. L.A. CLIPPERS

4. TORONTO

The Clips heard your chuckles about their playoff futility. That’s why they went out and got the smack-talking Paul Pierce to put up a better fight.

Carroll joins a Raptors team that has the playmakers (DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry); it just needed someone to deliver the defensive haymakers.

5. HOUSTON

5. CHICAGO

While the Ty Lawson addition helps, James Harden and Co. are still missing that competitive muscle for May.

We feel that Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah will turn back the clock to 2010... but then again, we had the same thought a year ago.

6. MEMPHIS

6. WASHINGTON

Like a Bruce Willis flick in the early 90s, you know what you’re getting with the Grizzlies — lots of action, scrappiness and a slow death towards the end.

Ball wizard John Wall will need a cauldron of Bradley Beal’s intensity and Otto Porter’s athleticism for another magical postseason run.

7. PHOENIX

In signing Monta Ellis and getting Paul George back, Indiana is on pace to return to prominence very soon.

If you were building an All-Underrated Team, Suns guard Eric Bledsoe would be a unanimous starter.

7. INDIANA

8. MILWAUKEE

8. NEW ORLEANS

Even with his nearly eight-foot wingspan, burgeoning superstar Anthony Davis won’t be able to lift these Pelicans out of the first round.

If the parts come together — Jabari Parker must trust his heeled knee; Greg Monroe has to listen to coach Jason Kidd — the young Bucks might fight for a six seed.

9. DALLAS

9. BOSTON

When healthy, Chandler Parsons has a smooth, Dirk Nowitzki-like game. Since he’s no longer in pressure-packed Brooklyn, Deron Williams should find his game.

Sixth-man Isaiah Thomas will put up starterworthy numbers for a Celtics squad that has some in New England starting to take notice.

10. SACRAMENTO

While the Playoffs might be out the question for the identity-seeking Hornets, the talents of Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson and rookie Frank Kaminsky are unquestioned.

We like Rajon Rondo a lot more than most. We love DeMarcus Cousins as much as everyone else.

11. UTAH

After the Spurs, we can’t think of a trio of bigs (Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert) we’d rather have.

12. DENVER

10. CHARLOTTE

11. PHILADELPHIA

Since the frontcourt of Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor is still a few years from dominating, it’s again back of the bus for the Sixers.

FOODIE-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY GIFTS Baby Gift Basket that will blow any chocaholic’s mind: two boxes of Truffles, a 5-Chocolate Bar ITH FAMILY SPREAD OUT ACROSS gift box, Candy Banes, Holiday Gourmet Bag the country, we often struggle to find and 2 Jcoco bars, all in a glittery package tied holiday gift ideas. Here are a few of our favorite with red velvet ribbon… The Chocolate Cravings foodie-friendly baskets/gift sets everyone Crate from SHARI’S BERRIES can appreciate: (Berries.com) is smaller, but no SNAKE RIVER FARMS less scrumptious. The wooden STEAK crate is stuffed like Santa’s sack Men are notoriously difficult with over a dozen different treats to shop for, but most love a good ranging from Dark Chocolate Sea steak. The American Kobe Steak Salt Caramel Popcorn and Dark Flight from SNAKE RIVER Chocolate Covered Pistachios to FARMS (SnakeRiverFarms.

Cocoa Biscotti Bites and Chocolate com) makes a delectable gift, Covered Marshmallow Pops. with two 6-oz sirloins, two NUMI ORGANIC TEA 6-oz ribeyes, two 6-oz filet SWEETS mignons, Espresso Brava Sea If you’ve never had Macarons Salt and a hat… Will Harris of in France, Atlanta’s MACARON WHITE OAK PASTURES QUEEN (MacaronQueen.com) is (WhiteOakPastures.com) was the next best thing. The Parisnamed Georgia’s 2013 Farmer trained pastry chef customized of the Year for his sustainable her recipe to reduce calories, fat agriculture innovations. Their and sugar, creating an exceptional A&E COFFEE Six-Shooter Gift Pack provides ROASTERS guilt-free treat available in 30+ an excellent sampling of grassflavors. I loved the 16-oz Prefed beef, with two 14-oz ribeye, Assorted Package we sampled so two 12-oz NY strips and two much, I’ve asked my wife to get me 6-oz filets… For beef-lovers on another for Xmas… MCCREA’S a budget, there’s the Tasteful CANDIES (McCreasCandies.

Gift Combo from OMAHA com) takes a similarly innovative STEAKS (OmahaSteaks.com), approach to Caramels, creating with two 5-oz filets, two 5-oz SEATTLE foodie-friendly flavors nothing top sirloins, four 4-oz burgers, CHOCOLATES like those Brach’s you had as a kid. four stuffed baked potatoes and Their Gift Box includes three 5.5four caramel apple tartlets, all oz tubes, including Black Lava Sea for $69.99.

Salt, Vanilla and “Flavor Family” (which includes Roasted Mocha, TEA Rosemary Truffle, Highland There may be women Scotch and more). somewhere who don’t drink MACARON QUEEN tea, but we don’t know any.

LIQUOR Our favorite brand, NUMI There’s nothing like spirits ORGANIC TEA (shop. to help people into the holiday NumiTea.com), has a new Tea spirit, but gifting booze requires

By Mood Gift Set that offers 40 a flair for gourmet flavors. Our bags in 8 flavors designed to help favorites this holiday season you Invigorate, Energize, Balance, include RUM DIPLOMÁTICO Focus or Sleep, depending on (RonDiplomatico.com), a boutique your mood… REPUBLIC OF SPIRITS rum blend from Venezuela with TEA (RepublicofTea.com) offers sweetly sublime notes of toffee, a Gift of Three Teas customized maple syrup, orange and brown to suit the recipient’s tastes. We sugar; WYOMING WHISKEY dig their seasonal fare, including (WyomingWhiskey.com), a Pumpkin Spice Black Tea, small-batch bourbon made in the Caramel Apple Red Tea and Big Horn Basin, which has sweet, Peppermint Chocolate Red Tea… fruity hints of vanilla, caramel We’ve loved seasonings from and oak; and USQUAEBACH SPICE LAB (shop.TheSpiceLab. MANHATTAN (Usquaebach.com), whose FRUITIER com) for years. Now they’ve Premium Reserve Highland Scotch entered the tea ring. Their stylish has been dubbed the “King of 4-tea sets, in distinctive test Blended Whiskey.” tube-style packaging, make for an eye-catching holiday gift.

BY BRET LOVE

W

COFFEE

With head coach Flip Saunders’ death coming a few days before season’s tip, the young T-Wolves (Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins) will play inspired basketball all season.

Andre Drummond is the backbone to a boring roster that collectively reads like one big shoulder shrug.

14. L.A. LAKERS

Brook Lopez deserves better. Unfortunately, for that to happen, he’ll have to leave a Big Apple bunch that’s rotten to the core.

I’m frugal by nature, but gourmet coffee’s my fave indulgence. Connoisseurs will adore A&E COFFEE ROASTERY’S (aeroastery.com) Coffee World Tour, available in 3, 6 or 12-month packages. Ours included citrusy Norma Lara Octepeque from Honduras, sweet NH Morning, and a wonderfully intense Kenya Kiangothe with lush, fruity notes… Brooklyn’s DRIFT AWAY COFFEE (DriftAway.coffee) offers 2-12 month gift plans, with fresh-roasted bags delivered every two weeks. The first contains a tasting kit of four different coffees (ours had Brazilian, Colombian, Ethiopian and Papua New Guinea varietals), allowing you to choose your favorites.

15. NEW YORK

CHOCOLATE

We know Kenneth Faried is a monster, but since college-skipping guard Emmanuel Mudiay only played sparingly for China last year, we only know what scouts tell us.

13. MINNESOTA

It’s not that the Lakers are terrible. It’s just that we can’t trust Kobe Bryant’s ankles or D’Angelo Russell’s assist-to-turnover ratio right now.

15. PORTLAND

Damon Lillard will need a colossal campaign to keep Trail Blazer fans’ minds off the massive rebuilding inside the Moda Center.

PG 22 • November 2015 • insiteatlanta.com

12. ORLANDO

The nucleus of Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic is only two years away from blowing up in the East.

13. DETROIT

14. BROOKLYN

Carmelo Anthony’s knee may be improving but his roster of teammates is as wobbly as ever.

NBA Finals: San Antonio over Cleveland, 4-3

What coffee is to me– i.e. manna from heaven– chocolate is to my wife and daughter. The folks at SEATTLE CHOCOLATES (SeattleChocolates. com) have assembled a stunning 5-pound Santa

MISCELLEANEOUS

We discovered CREMINELLI FINE MEATS (Creminelli.com) at the Atlanta Cheese Festival a few years ago. Their Grand Selection Mix is a meat-lover’s dream– six handcrafted salamis that sing with organic spices, including Barolo w/Red Wine, Wild Boar and Tartufo w/Black Truffles…

Popcorn has been a traditional gift in my family since I was a kid. But the Deluxe Popcorn & Seasonings Gift Box from DELL COVE (DellCoveSpices.com) is a cut above the rest, allowing you to mix and match 8 different kinds of popcorn and 8 seasonings in fantastic flavors such as Sweet BBQ, Hot Wings, Amish Caramel & Pumpkin Pie… MANHATTAN FRUITIER (ManhattanFruitier.com) is known for their upscale gift baskets. Their elegant Cortland Hamper boasts 14 pieces of fresh seasonal fruit– including apples, pears, pomegranate and more– and one accompanying snack, all packaged in a gorgeous basket that’s clearly designed to impress.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Present this ad at any of our three locations for free hand wraps with membership sign up sent this ad at any of our three locations for free hand wraps with membership sign up

Kickboxing • Boxing • Muay Thai • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu • Personal Training Kickboxing • Boxing • Muay Thai • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu • Personal Training

Best Fitness Center

Best Martial Arts

For the adult in all of us.

KU CrossFit

Join Our Adult Pleasure Spectacular!

is now here at our new Chastain Buckhead/Sandy location! fitness ENDURANCE POWERSprings SPEED STRENGTH AGILITY FLEXIBILITY COORDINATION MENTAL TOUGHNESS BALANCE TEAM SYNERGY

Sandy Springs • Alpharetta • Douglasville Sandy Springs • Alpharetta • Douglasville

NCE POWER SPEED STRENGTH AGILITY FLEXIBILITY COORDINATION MENTAL TOUGHNESS BALANCE TEAM SYNERGY Visit KnuckleUpFitness.com or call 404.339.kick NEW LOCATION! Chastain Buckhead/Sandy Springs 4540PASS Roswell Rd. SandyALL Springs Alpharetta Douglasville For a ONE WEEK FREE

dy Springs

Alpharetta

Visit KnuckleUpFitness.com or call 404.339.kick

Alpharetta 5815 Windward Pkwy Douglasville For a ONE WEEK FREE PASS

Visit KnuckleUpFitness.com or call 404-339-kick

For the adult in all of us.

NOW HIRING:

Whipped Cream Nitrous Oxide Chargers & Dispensers

y Happiving! ksg Than

We’re currently seeking sales associates with at least 1-2 years experience.

Apply in person:

r’s Dance...

Den

Starship Enterprises

of Atlanta 1182 Central Ave. East Point 404.766.6993

ShopStarship.com

(866) 944-7427 creamright.com

UV Glow!

BEST ADULT VIDEO STORE!

SOUTHERN NIGHTS!

Since 1996

3050%

OFF

Over 10,000 DVD’s for Sale & Rent!

Select Items!

Toy . ..

Town

62 Channel Hi-Def Video Arcade is

e Smokal...

Centr

Black Friday

NOW OPEN!

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Present this ad for:

20% OFF

In-store purchase! 11/16-25. *Can’t combine offers.

Connect with us:

Southern Nights Videos & Gifts @SNVAtlanta

SOUTHERN NIGHTS 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 404-728-0701 • Open 24/7 www.SNVOnline.com

CHESHIRE BRIDGE

We NOW carry Tobacco Accessories & Sensuals!

TARA MOVIE THEATRE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS WOODLAND

22 Locations: 404.766.6993

Cyber Monday: ShopStarship.com insiteatlanta.com • November 2015 • PG 23

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS

Best Breakfast Champion of Atlanta!

from $7.15

Tuesdays:

$5 PITCHERS OF BEER

(PBR Pitchers all week long)

Tuesdays & Thursdays:

TRIVIA

WE DELIVER! (after 5 PM) • Free Wi-Fi 1810 CHESHIRE BRIDGE RD. • 404-874-8304

Thank You Atlanta!

from the original Chin Chin Brookhaven team Celebrating 21 years in Brookhaven!

BEST IN GREEK & ITALIAN CUISINE

Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant

Since 1966

WATCH OUR OPEN KITCHEN & EXPERIENCE THE ART OF CHINESE COOKING!!

DELIVERY (LIMITED AREA, MIN. $10) / CARRY OUT / CATERING / FULL BAR SERVICE

3887 Peachtree Road, Buckhead/Brookhaven And Other Locations

404-816-2229 | www.ChinChinGA.com

2015 Best Chinese – INsite Magazine | 2001-2002 BestPaper Chinese by Atlanta Jewish Times readers 2009 Best Chinese-The Sunday 1998-2015 Best Chinese

by Creative Loafing 2001-2002 Best Chinese by Atlanta Jewish Times readers “Mouth-watering ChinBest ChinChinese spices things up.” –The Journal Constitution 1998-2012

by Creative LoafiAtlanta ng “Mouth-watering Chin Chin spices things up.”

–The Atlanta |Journal Constitution “Most Memorable Meal” –Where Atlanta Magazine 21/2 stars

by Knife & Fork

• Zagat Rated • Dine In or Take Out • Lunch & Dinner Specials

“Most Memorable Meal” –Where Atlanta Magazine - 21/2 stars–Knife & Fork

TRY OUR NEW

MAC ‘N CHEESE PIZZA!

Made With

Cheese & Shells!

Voted BEST in Atlanta

N. Decatur Plaza • 404.320.0101 Corner of N. Decatur & Clairmont

Midtown • 404.917.1100 10th and Monroe

East Cobb • 678.996.0045 1255 Johnson Ferry Rd.

SHOWN: MAC ʻN CHEESE PIZZA WITH PEPPERONI

Athens • (706) 543-5000 1591 S Lumpkin St

HOURS FOR STORES: Mon–Sat: 11am–9:30pm Sun: 11am–9pm www. mediterraneangrill .com

Authentic Middle Eastern and Greek Cuisine Cooked Fresh to Order • Dine In / Carry Out

265 PONCE DE LEON AVE. NE • 404-254-5103

Amazing food, beautiful bar, cozy and laid-back atmosphere.

WE DO CATERING!

VOTED BEST SMOKE SHOP! Locally Blown Glass

Hand-blown Bubblers

Pax Vaporizer No. 7 Company electronic cigarettes

HOOKAHS Starting at $24.95

DETOX PRODUCTS

PIPES

POSTERS

SELF BODY DEFENSE CIGARS & PRODUCTS CIGARETTES JEWELRY

Private Party Rooms Available Located just off I-75 Exit 261.

2475 Delk Road SE, Marietta, 30067 770 485 8069 • cosmomarietta.com

Check out our website for Weekly specials and events!

ROSWELL: 710 Holcomb Br. Rd. #240 • 770-992-4485 SANDY SPRINGS: 6010 Sandy Springs Circle #B2 • 404-256-1116 ACWORTH: 3466 Cobb Pkwy Suite 120 • 770-974-5585 NEW LOCATION WOODSTOCK: 8265 Hwy 92 Suite 108 • 678-445-5550 ALL STORES OPEN 10A-2A EVERY DAY • WWW.SHOPSMOKE911.COM