INsite Atlanta April 2013 Issue

APRIL 2013

insiteatlanta .com

VOL. 21, NO. 9 FREE

Summer

CONCERT

Spring FESTIVAL Season Preview

GUIDE

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Atlanta Jazz Festival Kirkwood Spring Fling Sweetwater 420 Fest East Atlanta Beer Festival and Many More!

come one, come all and enjoy the 2013“world’s largest yaarab shrine circus & fair discount coupons available at metro atlanta food depot locations

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discoutnts eaallll mmetetrroo-k c i t t t a a le le b b a a il il a a aavv eennss lgrree waalg lannttaa w aattla hhee tthhrroouuggohohffooututtthheettcici cuss rrcu dduurraattioionn

april 12-may 12

walgreens discount ticket prices

weekend mega pass : $19.95 a person Fri-Sun. weekday mega pass : $14.95 a person Mon-Thurs

*Mega pass includes gate admission, circus admission and unlimited carnival rides anyone day open to close *5 and under free [no rides]

admission tickets : $5.00 22 ride tickets strip : $11.00 *Rides require more than one ticket

PG 2YS2013_Insite_HP.indd • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com 1

regular gate admission

adults : $10.00; children 6-11 : $6.00 children 5 & under : FREE! 22 ride tickets strip : $20.00 *Rides require more than one ticket unlimited rides $25.00 Any day with paid admission.

For more information call 404.872.5818

3/21/2013 8:14:50 PM

CONTENTS • APRIL 2013 • VOLUME 21, NO. 9 Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

INTERVIEWS 06 11 14 12 21 24 26 27 27 28 28

Mel Brooks Rhino Wars Alison Brie Rosario Dawson Kandyse McClure Damien Echols of Memphis 3 LL Cool J Sevendust Snuff Skinny Lister Matt Costa

FEATURES 08 10 15 22 29

14

Spring Patios Earth Day Tips Spring Festivals Concert Venue MLB Preview

COLUMNS 04 05 05 07 13 19 19 20 23 30 30 30

06

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

21

26

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

Follow us on the web!

Contributing Writers / Interns: Jon Latham, Ryan Loftis, 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, Lee Valentine Smith, Amanda Miles, Patrick Flanary, Ian Coverdale CONTACT US 130 West Wieuca Road, Ste. 111 Atlanta, GA 30342 phone (404) 256-4328 • website insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION (404) 256-4328 • advertising@insiteatlanta.com Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

© Copyright 2013, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Check out our Spring Festivals feature on page 15!

APRIL 2013

insiteatlant a .com

VOL. 21, NO. 9 FREE

Summer

CONCERT

Spring FESTIVAL Season Preview

GUIDE

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Atlanta Jazz Festival Kirkwood Spring Fling Sweetwater 420 Fest East Atlanta Beer Festival and Many More!

insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 3

Around Town

Atlantic Station hosts the Titanic Artifact Exhibition and Bodies the Exhibition all month. Go to titanicatlanta.com and bodiesatlanta. com for tickets and event times. Enter code INSITE to receive $6 off admission price.

ALL APR

Extreme Mammals will be on view at Fernbank Museum from all month. The exhibition is included with Museum admission. Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $16.50 for students/ seniors, $15.50 for children ages 3-12, free for children 2 and younger, and free for museum members. Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. For visitor information and tickets, call 404-929-6300 or visit fernbankmuseum.org.

ALL APR

During the month of April, the community is invited to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the State of Israel by attending a miniseries of unique courses at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. The 4-part series will be offered on April 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7-8:30pm at the Marcus Hillel Center at Emory University (735 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, 30322). For information, call 678-812-3723 or visit online at www.atlantajcc.org.

ALL APR

Six Flags Over Georgia kicks off its Spring Break run for two weeks to open this month. Through April 14 the park is open with special extended hours Monday-Friday. The park will also host a Christian music festival on April 6.

For more information, go to rocktheflags.com.

ALL APR

Theatre/Film/Performance

Music/Comedy/Sports

The Atlanta Hawks will host their annual Career & Internship Fair, providing interested candidates with the opportunity to speak to and interview with representatives for positions with various sports teams and companies on April 1 from 1-4pm at Philips Arena.

Confirmed vendors include: Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, NBA/WNBA, United Way, The Aspire Group, Atlanta Sports Council, IMG, Aarons, Aerotek, AAA South and many more. Candidate registration for the fair is $25 and includes one ticket to the Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game that evening at 7:30pm. Go to www.nba.com/hawks/2012-13career-and-internship-fair for more.

Rabbit & Friends” to life on the puppet stage.

Additionally, to help celebrate this momentous anniversary, the Center for Puppetry Arts will also be giving coupons for a free visit to the Wren’s Nest to audience members of “Brer Rabbit & Friends.” The show starts on April 11.

Visit puppet.org for more details and tickets.

Variety Playhouse hosts one of the world’s premier Beatles tribute bands this month on April 6 when Abbey Road comes to Atlanta. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17.50 the day of. The band will play “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” to highlight the band’s middle years. Go to variety-playhouse. com for more information.

In celebration of the upcoming Atlanta engagement of “Sister Act: The Musical” at the Fox Theatre, Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta and The Festival on Ponce have teamed up to present The Nun Dash. The run will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most people dressed as nuns. The Nun Dash will take place at the Spring Festival on Ponce on April 13, beginning at noon. For registration or more information, visit www.11Alive.com/SisterAct.

APR 01

APR 06

Agave will host its next Elegante Tequila Dinner on April 9 at 7pm. Price is $69, which includes a multiple-course meal and a $35 shot of Elegante tequila with dessert. Visit agaverestaurant.com for more information.

APR 09

Just in time for the 100th anniversary of The Wren’s Nest in Atlanta, the historic home of Brer Rabbit and Joel Chandler Harris, the Center for Puppetry Arts will bring “Brer

APR 11

Women helping women EGG DONORS NEEDED

Make up to $8,000 Plus Free Annual Exams Reproductive Biology Egg Bank is seeking women between the ages of 21 and 30 who would like to donate their eggs to infertile couples who otherwise could not conceive.

The advantages of donating to the RBA egg bank include: • Quick compensation starting at $7000 as no recipient matching is required • Free annual exams up to age 30 • Completely anonymous process • Free Medical Screening in accordance to FDA guidelines • Donation planned around your busy schedule • Increased compensation with additional donation • Free fertility preservation egg freezing for donors on 3rd donation • FREE Apple® iPad or $500 Referral Reward* • Giving someone the gift of life!

For more information about our EGG DONATION PROGRAM call 404-843-0579 or visit our website at www.rba-online.com.

New hope. New life.

1100 Johnson Ferry Rd., Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30342 404.257.1900 / 888.722.4483 www.rba-online.com *Donor must complete the entire cycle PG 4 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Museums/Exhibits/Arts

Atlantic Station will host the 23rd Annual Pet Parade-A-Walk For Animals from 9am-1pm on April 13. Thousands will gather in shoe and paw to walk for a great cause.

Walkers are encouraged to sign up in advance at atlantapetparade.org or by calling 404-8755331. Sign up is $30.

APR 13

APR 13

Visit CD Warehouse on April 20 and celebrate Record Store Day. This national event recognizes the vinyl record and those great album covers. To honor this event CD Warehouse will be buying and selling vinyl records throughout the month. Find out more at CDwarehouse. com.

APR 20

Other Stuff

The inaugural Chastain Chase 6K Fun Run will be held April 21. There will also be a one-mile walk/run and a Tot Trot for those five years and under. Pre-registration fee is $20 (postmarked

by April 16). For additional information and registration go to www.cscatlanta.kintera.org/ chastainchase.

APR 21

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra welcomes Itzhak Perlman as part of the Delta Classical Series from April 25-28. Tickets may be purchased at atlantasyphony.org or by calling 404-733-5000.

Prices range from $32-$84.

APR 25

Barry Manilow brings his smooth sounds to the Arena at Gwinnett on April 27 at 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale now. Visit manilow.com for additional details.

APR 27

Barry Manilow at Arena at Gwinnett, April 27

LOCAL

LOCAL EVENTS

On Tap this Month

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

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

EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM April 1: Turner Field

BRAVES HOST PHILLIES

Snow still blows in the crisp Atlanta air, so naturally it’s time for baseball season again. It’s been a long offseason after the Bravos after a crushing playoff-game loss to St. Louis. Can this team rebound? Will someone step up to replace the leadership/Hooter’s bar tabs of Chipper Jones? Can the pair of newly acquired Upton brothers bring skill and consistency to Atlanta’s outfield? There are a lot of questions, but those answers will come. It’s finally gameday. So get down to Turner Field for Opening Day. Visit braves.com for ticket details.

April 6-8: Georgia Dome

FINAL FOUR

It seems odd that March Madness ends in April, but we’re still happy its conclusion happens in Atlanta. The Georgia Dome will play host to the finale of Amercia’s most exciting sporting event. Whether your favorite team has survived the field or your bracket has been ravaged by the likes of Florida Gulf Coast University, it’s something that brings together the nation. And it ends here. Don’t miss out. Tickets will be difficult to find, but there will be a host of NCAA-related events happening around the games. Go to ncaa.com/final-four for more information.

April 16: Philips Arena

HAWKS HOME FINALE

With the NCAA basketball tournament wrapping up, we can once again focus on the playoffs for the professional teams.

The Hawks have already clinched a postseason spot. Now it just comes down to seeding. Will there be a matchup with the Pacers or Nets? Time will tell. If you’re looking to see the Hawks off in their final regular season game, go down to Philips Arena for the April 16 game against Toronto. It will be Atlanta’s last homecourt until the first round of the playoffs. Tip is set for 7:30pm. Tickets are available at atlantahawks.com.

April 18-19: Philips Arena

TAYLOR SWIFT

Taylor Swift returns to Atlanta for a two-night concert event.

The Red Tour is making its way across the global featuring America’s favorite ex-girlfriend. The tour marks Swift’s third concent tour. The singer-songwriter will perform her latest hits, including “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Begin Again” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Ed Sheeran opens both nights with show starting at 7pm. Tickets range from $40.45-$102.90. Visit ticketmaster.com for further details and ticket availability.

April 21: Fox Theatre

JILLIAN MICHAELS

Promising an evening of inspiration that will forever motivate and change lives, America’s health and wellness guru Jillian Michaels is set to launch her first ever “Maximize Your Life” tour that will play the Fox Theatre on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm.

Kicking-off April 4th in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the tour touches down in 35 cities across the United States and Canada, wrapping up May 21 in Toronto. Tickets start at $39 and are currently on sale. To purchase tickets visit www.FoxAtlTix.com, call 855-ATLTIXX (855-285-8499) or at the Fox Theatre ticket office.

April 22: Philips Arena

RIHANNA DIAMONDS WORLD TOUR

Pop royalty visits Atlanta on April 22 at Philips Arena.

Rihanna will bring her Diamonds World Tour concert to town. Expect the very best the industry has to offer in concert entertainment with dancing, effects and (likely) a healthy amount of lip syncing. The six-time Grammy Award winner has sold more than 37 million albums and 146 million digital tracks worldwide. The show begins at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $39.50-$125.00. Visit ticketmaster.com for complete ticket listings and information.

SIPS IN CITY CALLAWAY GARDENS PHOENIX FLIES NCAA BIGTHE DANCE CONCERT SERIES

August, Check Website Deals Through FREEApril Friday, AprilFeb. 5CELEBRATION –28, Sunday, FreeforLANDMARKS” “CITYWIDE OF7,LIVING Various Downtown Restaurants Callaway Gardens Centennial Olympic March 5-20, FreePark www.atlantadowntown.com 17800 Hwy 27 Around the City www.centennialpark.com VariousUS Landmarks Pine Mountain, Georgia phoenixflies.org This Bigsummer promotion encourages The Dance concert series is a threecallawaygardens.com

day festival for all agesof(Friday, patrons tomusic experience Downtown Atlanta The FREE Phoenix Flies: A Celebration Living

Saturday and Sunday). place in the on ice! Throughout the heated months of Admission Callaway Gardens is Landmarks wasto created inTaking 2003 by The Atlanta Park during Final through Four weekend, the outdoor July and August, featured restaurants in the complimentary the end of this Preservation Center as a way to celebrate the concert features high-profile musical artists Downtown Dining District will be offering month (Price isof normally $15 for adults, 25th anniversary the dramatic rescue of the from around the country, drawing crowds refreshing cocktails, hipAtlanta’s happy $6.50 per signature child) providing guests with Foxmore Theatre, an150,000 event that changed of than people.

In addition, hours and deals that you won’t want to miss. the opportunity to enjoy time with their preservationfirst outlook forever.game This year, the Saturday’s semi-final willAtlanta air list on Participating restaurants family and reconnecting in nature. includes freefriends guided tours of include The the big screens in the park.

TheFox BigTheatre, Dance Grill, AzioPark, Downtown, BLTtheSteak, Max Free admission includes Virginia Piedmont Oakland Cemetery, Concert Series isHistoric brought to you by NCAA Lager’s, No Mas! Cantina and The Sundial Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day Civil War Atlanta WalkingAT&T, Tour, Tullie Smith Corporate Champions-Coca-Cola Restaurant.

Visit the website for a complete Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural FarmCapital House,One. Margaret Mitchell House, the and Featured artists include list deals.

Center, Mr.Sting Cason’s Vegetable Garden, Zac Brown, David Matthews Band. newof Beltline Park and much more.

Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Overlook Garden, Bicycle Trail, Pioneer BRACKET TOWN AMERICANDiscovery CRAFT COUNCIL SHOW IN ATLANTA Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Friday, April 5 – Monday, April 8, noon – 8pm March 10-13, Regular admission: $13 $10 adults,nature $6 children Chapel, trails and daily programs.

Children under 12: free Georgia World Congress Center Cobb Galleria Center www.ncaa.com THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta Feb. 10 27, Tickets range from $15 - $35 craftcouncil.org/Atlanta Bracket Town is the Ultimate Final Four Turner Field Green Lot Fan Fest, offering more than 300,000 square 521 Avenue, Atlanta ThisCapitol 3-day event is the largest juriedAfine craft feet of family-friendly activities. budgetuniversoulcircus.com Show in the southeast. show hasevent, been friendly, four-day indoorThe interactive Bracket Townmarketplace targets basketball fans and the premiere for regional fine UniverSoul fans all NCAA sports by them craft of lovers and The collectors, andoffering offersCircus guests continues itsworksurge athechance legendary coaches and chancetoto meet and purchase from YELLOW JACKET to the top the live former exclusive autograph esteemedcollege artistsstars from at around theofcountry.

To ranks sessions, sign collectors up entertainment for daily youth clinics, FAN reachDAY first-time and established craft and participate in 3pm anewest host of sport activities with interactive funky Saturday, August 6, –its6pm, Free collectors alike, the show category for ranging from basketball to lacrosse to hockey rendition of a traditional Bobby Dodd Stadium Grant Field Under $100. participating artists isatHandmade and more.

UniverSoul has www.ramblinwreck.com Artists who sell workcircus. for under $100 will have captivated audiences their booths specially marked for patrons GREAT URBAN RACE around the world Festivities begin at from 3aATLANTA p.m. on Callaway Plaza interested in starting collection.

Saturday, April 13, 12pmwith – 5pmits unique brand with music, prizes, inflatables and games for $65 per person in advance, $75 race daycircus arts, that blends the kids.

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

HOUSE Sidebar and enter theater the stadium to meet the www.greaturbanrace.com Marchfans 12, can 11am-3pm, Free Founded in Atlanta over 2011 AtlantaYellow Motor Jackets.

SpeedwayFootball players will be 17 years audience seated with theirHampton position at various The Urban Race ago, isgroups a the unique urban 1500 Great Tara Place, will watch in amazement asclues, stilt points on the playing field.

Head coach Paul adventure.

Teams of two solve twelve atlantamotorspeedway.com walkers make their way across a tight Johnson willcity signadventure autographs 4-5 p.m. have a wild andfrom complete fun rope, horse ridersdiscovering perform death-defying and will be available for photographs from challenges, while Atlanta in a Visit the track’s Open House for free.

Activities stunts, contortionists bend into fresh way.and The first 25 teams to complete the 5-6 p.m.

Please limit autographs to ONE include championship legends racing on the incredible and the beautiful shapes. race will have towillcompete item per player or opportunity coach.

This be the quarter-mile “Thunder Ring. ” , free drawings in the National Championship race for a first opportunity to get the 2011 football for big prizes, drive The yourrace owniscar on thetest track chance at $10,000. a great of poster aspurchase well2011 as ofschedule cards, ticket CHEERSPORT NATIONAL with the Labor Day NASCAR both physical and mental abilities, including information andselect other items throughout the CHEERLEADING &physical DANCE tickets, fans can their seats for the Labor puzzle solving, challenges and afternoon.

Most campus parking lots will Day Race Throughout Weekend, tourthetherace, Speedway’s race CHAMPIONSHIP running. teams may be available. control suites, take photos Feb. 18strategically –tower 20 and incorporate also the usewith of the Atlanta pace car and a $30 for transportation 2-dayMotor pass Speedway public and high-tech devices.

SIMON GAMEPLAY NASCAR Sprint Series winner’s trophy, $20 for 1-day passCup TOUR Saturday, August 20gift @ shop 10am,and Free discounts much more.

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

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

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

GamePlay will competitive cheerleading and dance. feature 10 gaming pods, including 2 mature Check the website for the full competition ZAC BROWN zones, with products fromBAND instrusty leaders schedule. at BIG DANCE CONCERT SERIES like SEGA, Capcom, 2K and Atari.

By Marci Miller 2011 SOUTHEASTERN HUNGER EARTH DAYWALK/RUN KIDS FEST 5KFLOWER SHOW Feb. 25 27, Adults ($15 in advance) March 13, Noon-4pm, for runners 8th ANNUAL GERMAN BIERFEST Saturday, April 13, 10am$18 –$25 3pm, Adults $10

Youth/Student $7,27, Kids Free for$6, walkers Saturday, August 2 under –27pm Children Children Under Free5 are Free Cobb Galleria Centre Parking is free Ride your bike from home and $30 Online, $35 At the Doorget in Free!

Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta Chattahoochee Nature Center Turner Field Green Lot Woodruff Park, Downtown Atlanta www.chattnaturecenter.org sehort.org 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta www.germanbierfest.com hungerwalkrun.org The Foundation teaming Presented by celebrates the Southeastern This Captain summer Planet event theisgreatness up with the Chattahoochee Nature Center Horticultural Society, this annual premier Join thousands of runners and walkers at of German beer in a family-friendly for the 11th Annual Earth Day Kids Fest! gardening event promotes preservation this annual event that benefits the Atlanta environment. Complete with authentic This event is Food a unique and exciting hands-on, and awareness of flowers plants Community Bank and fiveand other local German food, activities for the kids, music environmental education experience where through education andBierfest artistic expression. nonprofits.

Participants can register as a team and fun, the German is not only youth are encouraged to take the first steps Show activities include speakers, juried or individually online or register the day of the only authentic German Bierfest in in becoming environmental stewards. Visit competition, kids’ activities, Landscape & the event.

There will be activities for all ages Atlanta, but the only family-friendly beer the Eco-Village where you will learn about Discovery Gardens and more. including livethe entertainment & more. festival asgames, well.

For price admittance, local organizations that areof doing great

Gates open at noon, 5Ktherunbeer & walk attendees can drink all they can things to protect thethe planet.

Stop by begin each at 2 p.m. safely consume.

Designated drivers are 10th OAKHURST WINE of the ANNUAL local non-profits for fun and CRAWL exciting encouraged and can attend for free.

No one hands-on activities and learn about some Saturday, Feb. 26, 4 pm-7 pm local friendly businesses. under the 21 will be permitted to $25 in environmentally advance for of Tasting Glass A-TOWN DAYage Entertainment provided by Laughing Pizza. consume alcohol.

A designated driver $30 day26,ofNoon-8pm, event March $5 service will also be on site for those who Oakhurst Business District Lakewood CHASTAIN CHASE RUN condition to find themselves inFUN an unsafe oakhurstga.org 2002 Lakewood Ave6KSE, Atlanta Sunday, April 21, Pre-registration $20 drive home. atownday.com Day of Race $25,inChildren Participants this under year’s5 Free event will get Chastain Park (Race starts and ends at Road Runner to sample wines from around theconcert, world A-TOWN DAY is a health festival, PIGS & PEACHES BBQcare FESTIVAL Sports) while exploring all the businesses in the and a 26 major of 5pm Awareness August & 27,day Friday - 11pm celebrating www.cscatlanta.kintera.org/chastainchase Oakhurst neighborhood.

There will be 20 all things10am Atlanta.

A-TOWN Saturday – 10pm, Free DAY benefits participating establishments and the event the Diabetes oftoAtlanta and The Ben Robertson Community Kennesaw All families Association are invitedCenter, the inaugural expects sell 6K outfun quickly.

Fur Bus B-Aware to Foundation.

This feature www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches Chastain Chase runevent to The bewill held April will be on hand to transport participants live 2013. music,There poetry, show lots of family 21, willcaralso be and a one-mile walk/ from bar bar.

Tickets be5purchased run and atoTot Trot for acan those years and friendly events.

The event features non-sanctioned from Steinbeck’s AletheHouse, Ujoint, under.

Proceeds Cancer Backyard BBQ, benefit Anything Butt andSupport Peach Community Atlanta which ensures thatCity all and Karvana Coffee Shop, all located in Dessert PARK Contest, as well as a WEEK Kansas INMAN RESTAURANT people impacted by cancer are empowered Oakhurst village.

Barbeque Society March 28-April 3, $15sanctioned Professional by knowledge, strengthened by action and Contest, is recognized $25 & $35which for three-course meal as a Georgia sustained by community.

The raceCookoff. course State NATIONAL Championship IHOP PANCAKEBarbeque DAY CELEBRATION inmanparkrestaurantweek.com winds through beautiful Chastain Park Over $14,000 cash and prizes will be– Tuesday, March 1,in7 am-10 pm, Free Pancakes beginning and ending at Road Runner Sports awarded to contest winners.

Besides food International House Pancakes Savor historic Inman Park with three-course in Powers Ferry.

Allof finishers in the one mile for sale, and free music from a number of Locations throughout Metro Atlanta dinners from 11 local restaurants.

Proceeds and the Tot Trot will receive a prize. local and national acts, festival goershelps will IHOPPancakeday.com will benefit Project Open Hand, which be treated toWINDDOWN a large Kid Zone (withchronic many people prevent or better manage WEDNESDAY attractions FREE to families), vendor On thisthrough day, willunique receive one Wednesday, May 1customers disease comprehensive nutrition care. booths andstack sponsor exhibits.

Silver free short (three) ofand IHOP’s (Every Wednesday through September) $1 raffle tickets will be sold willThe gofamous towards Wings aerial exhibition buttermilk pancakes.

All they askwill is team that 5:30pm –paratrooper 8:00pm, the charity.

TheFree winner of the raffle win returns thed’ouerves, event, andbeer willaand jump intoparty the Centennial Park making patrons consider donation to a hostedtoOlympic hor wine www.centennialpark.com festival Saturday, August 27. through Crowds support local children’s hospitals at Park’s on Edge Restaurant for thirty of their will be Each treated to Network aPark wonderful display of Children’s Miracle or other friends.

Inman restaurant will local bring Atlanta’s longest FREE concert series aerobatics and patriotic performances in charities.

Since beginning itsthe National tastes from theirrunning restaurants for winner. kicks offThere its will season on be Wednesday, May 1. the will ainhuge, fireworks Pancake Day celebration 2006, IHOP The sky. winner be also announced at the end of Relax with an evening of live entertainment grand finale.more has raised $5.35 millionfortoa the restaurant week.than the website every Wednesday inCheck the communities park’s Southern support charities in the in complete list of participating restaurants.

Company Amphitheater. Enjoy everything which it operates.

FESTIVAL PEACHTREE LATINO from jazz to contemporary music performed Sunday, August 11am – 7:30pm, Freeacts. by favorite local28,and national touring Piedmont Park www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com

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

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

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

ENTER ON SUBJECT LINE:SIGN SIGNME MEUP UP INSITE! INSITE! ENTER ONTHE SUBJECT LINE: insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 5

COMEDY

THE LEGENDARY MEL BROOKS

If That Title Doesn’t Make You Read This Interview, You’ve Got A Screw Loose!

BY BRET LOVE

I

WAS INTRODUCED TO COMEDY legend Mel Brooks at a ridiculously early age. I couldn’t have been more than six or seven when my parents took me to see Blazing Saddles, and its absurdist skewering of the western genre remains one of my favorite films today.

Working with a self-described “mouse pack” of legends that included Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Dom DeLuise, Marty Feldman, Bernadette Peters, Sid Caesar, Cloris Leachman and many more, Brooks wrote, directed and occasionally starred in a string of bona-fide comedy classics. Films like The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, History of the World: Part 1 and Spaceballs changed the face of comedy forever.

Now Brooks, who turns 87 this year, is being celebrated for his immeasurable contributions to TV, film and Broadway. Last November, Shout Factory released The Incredible Mel Brooks: An Irresistible Collection of Unhinged Comedy, a 6-DVD boxed set devoted to his comedic genius. And on May 20, PBS will premiere the American Masters documentary Mel Brooks: Make A Noise, which features icons such as Carl Reiner, Joan Rivers and Tracey Ullman singing the praises of his storied career.

Brooks, who got his start as a Borscht

Belt performer, recently appeared at a TCA Convention press conference to promote the new documentary. In it, he proved as sharp as ever, and even revealed a possible Broadway adaptation of one of his most beloved films…

Philip Roth has talked about the distinction between being a Jewish writer, a JewishAmerican writer, and an American writer.

How do you view yourself in that respect?

I think I missed the Jew boat by one generation. I mean, literally. When I worked in the Borscht Belt in the mountains, I spoke in English, you know? A generation before me, they spoke in Yiddish. So I think my comedy is New York comedy. It’s urban comedy. It’s sophisticated. It’s street-corner comedy. It’s not Jewish comedy. That’s all wet.

Have you ever thought about doing another Spaceballs?

Not until you said that just now! As a writer and composer, I’ve been thinking about doing Blazing Saddles as a musical on Broadway, because a lot of it is musical already and it has a rather fanciful and fantastic tone to it. Now that Django Unchained has liberally used the “n” word, I think I’m in the clear.

What’s your creative process like when you approach something that’s a real story rather than a genre parody, or is your process the

. . . x t I e s n e o Whmes t IgnoranCe Is Co

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surgi-Center license 044-287

same for both?

A genre gives you a lot of clichés that you can lean on, have fun with and satirize. But a simple story that you create from scratch, like Life Stinks, is much more difficult. You’re closer to human behavior than you are when you’re having fun with the celluloid clichés of a western, a sci-fi movie or Robin Hood.

When you did History of the World, you did an interview saying that you really loved taking really big stories, but you had troubles ending them. Has it ever gotten easier to end a film?

It’s always difficult to end a film, but it’s incumbent upon the filmmaker to end them properly. Otherwise, the audience, they don’t know when to leave the theater! You must say “The End.” As far as writing is concerned, the most difficult thing is a perfect and indigenous ending. It is the comeuppance after the initial premise of Act 1, where you create the need for that ending. It’s very difficult when you’re doing sketches, but we did it. When we were writing Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, Howie Morris and Carl Reiner, we got endings. We had some of the best writers in the world, but we didn’t know how good we were. There was Doc Simon (a.k.a. Neil Simon) sitting in, and little Mike Stewart, a crew-cut redhead, was our typist.

Sid would point, “Put that one down!” when he thought something was funny. And Mike would organize our script. Mike [later] wrote Bye Bye Birdie, Hello Dolly and Mame.

Could talk a little bit about the sort of looseknit repertory company that follows you through so many of your films?

Once I had Harvey Korman as my second banana when I was the lead in films, I demanded that he play the Count de Monet [in History of the World, Pt 1). It was my little mouse pack. We weren’t big enough for the Rat Pack! (Laughs) I mean, I had Madeline Kahn.

No matter what it took, I wouldn’t let Madeline go. I wouldn’t let Dom DeLuise go. I wouldn’t let Ron Carey go. Gene Wilder was my brother.

I wouldn’t let him go. But then he left me and did his own movie. His first movie was Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother. Very good movie! Because he wanted to write and direct, there was no holding him back. All of them were, I think, some of the most gifted actorcomedians in the world. And I knew I could do no wrong, you know? Whatever picture I did, I tried to use as many of them as I could.

As many times as I could use Marty Feldman or Madeline Kahn or Harvey Korman as possible, you know? And for the most part, it worked.

I’d find new people. I found Dave Chappelle as Robin Hood’s sidekick [in Robin Hood: Men In Tights], and he got away from me real quick and got his own TV show.

When did you recognize that your comedic humor, your genius, needed to be seen on-screen instead of somebody else doing your shtick?

It happened when Gene deserted me. I think it was Silent Movie. He wasn’t available and I got the money, so I was ready to [make the film]. I thought, nobody talks, so I could get away with this! I took a chance. Later, Michel Hazanavicius, who did The Artist, came to America to take some bows. He called me and he said, “Could I join your august Friday

group with Laddie and Jay Cantor and Paul Mazursky?” We meet on Fridays. And I said, “Sure, sure, Michel, come on.” And then he said, “If you hadn’t done Young Frankenstein in black and white, and you hadn’t done Silent Movie as a silent movie, I never could have done The Artist, or even thought about it. So that was praise from a very talented fella indeed. But I never thought I was that good, really.

When you look back on your career, what would you say were the biggest challenges?

And how do you think those struggles impacted your subsequent work?

Getting stuff made was the biggest challenge.

The Producers, my first film, was the highest mountain I ever climbed. It was a two-year struggle. I kept rewriting it every day, just to keep busy, you know? I knew that the secret of that movie was ten minutes of exposition very early in the movie, so the audience would understand it. And exposition is very difficult because, when you’re explaining why things have to happen, it’s not really very funny. But it turned out to be a pretty funny scene because I made Gene Wilder, not only a timid little accountant, but also someone who was afflicted with hysteria. All of that helped us swallow very important information, or else the rest of the movie would never have worked.

Are there any comedians working today that you really admire?

You know, I’m not going to go near that!

(Laughter) That’s a tough question. My Uncle Louie said, “As far as Buicks are concerned, they all good.” I’m going to give the same answer!

Because comics… I mean, they’re all good, and I know I’m going to leave out someone.

How could I leave out Chris Rock? I’m going to forget [someone like] Ricky Gervais. I mean, there are a lot of people that really are brave and funny, you know? I love Sarah Silverman’s mind, her wit, and her bravery. And then, of course, there’s those two girls, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who are wonderful. As far as Buicks, they all good!

Under The Lights MARY POPPINS

SISTER ACT

Tickets (855) ATL-TIXX foxatltix.com marypoppins.com

Tickets (855) ATL-TIXX foxatltix.com/sisteract

April 2 - 7 The Fox Theatre

Since

1953

Atlanta’s Choice for Family Entertainment!

In partnership with

April 23 - 28 The Fox Theatre

MAKE THIS SEASON A PART OF YOUR WORLD

SEASON SuBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW! JENNIFER HOLLIDAY

Mary Poppins the hit Broadway musical returns for a limited one-week engagement.

Mary Poppins is a story of the Banks family living in a big house in London and in dire need of help. Mary Poppins answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. The musical encourages people to remain hopeful and find the magic in everyday life. With four productions currently running on three continents, Mary Poppins is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years winning 44 major theatre awards around the globe. The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America.

ZORRO

April 3- May 5 Alliance Theatre Box Office (404) 733.5000 alliancetheatre.org/zorro

Zorro the legendary character will appear in a swashbuckling new musical set to the thrilling flamenco sound of The Gipsy Kings. Zorro tells the story of Diego de la Vega, the man behind the masked outlaw fighting to restore order in Spanish colonial California. When Diego returns home from Spain, he discovers his father is dead and his brother is running Los Angeles… badly. Diego must resort to extreme measures to free the people from his brother’s oppressive rule without being discovered.

The theatrical origin story of this legendary hero is told through the lens of flamenco culture. This musical production consists of more than twenty songs including Gipsy Kings favorites “Bamboleo” and “Djobi Djobi,” as well as new musical numbers created for the show.

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won't be found - a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her fabulous disco-ness and killer voice to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon it’s nun-onthe-run time but she finds salvation in the heavenly power of her newly found sisterhood. Based on the mega-hit feature film, Sister Act features an original Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score with a vast inspiration of musical styles from Motown, soul and funk to great big disco anthems and Barry White inspired musical comedy.

JAN. 10-20, 2014

JuLY 9-14, 2013

Aug. 2-11, 2013

Since

1953

Atlanta’s Choice for Family Entertainment!

SEASON SPECIAL

Aug. 20-25, 2013

SEPT. 10-15, 2013

SEPT. 24-29, 2013

THE FABULOUS LIPITONES Through April 21 Balzer Theatre Tickets (877) 725.8849 ticketalternative.com

The Fabulous Lipitones, is a new musical comedy about a not-so-traditional barber shop quartet. When one of their founding members drops dead mid-performance, this small town America barbershop trio must race to find a new member for their quartet to win the national competition. Excitement is high when they find someone, but he's nowhere near what they expected. Choosing a tenor who is an Indian Sikh with dubious immigration credentials makes their road to victory a funny and touching lesson in what it takes to create real harmony. The Fabulous Lipitones is a hilarious and moving story of friendship, prejudice and the power of song. This world premiere musical by Mark St. Germain, author of the hit show, Freud's Last Session, and John Markus head writer for The Cosby Show and writer/producer The Larry Sanders Show.

Call 404-252-8960 or visit www.TheateroftheStars.com For groups of 10 or more call 404-881-2000

DON’T DELAY, CALL TODAY!

– New York Post

ON SALE NOW! 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

APRIL 23–28

THE FOX THEATRE FoxAtlTix.com/SisterAct 855-ATL-TIXX

insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 7

Spring Patio Guide

Places to Go when Dining Outdoors!

Athens Pizza House

1341 Clairmont Rd. Decatur 404.636.1100 AthensPizzaAtlanta.com

Since 1966 the Papadopoulos family has been serving up great Greek and Italian cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area.

Athens Pizza is Zagat rated and the recipient of various awards including Best Greek Cuisine in Atlanta. Don’t let the name fool you, there is much more than great pizza, as some of the favorite recipes on their Greek dishes go back generations!

When the weather oblidges, dinners head out to their patio. Their patio is also a popular destination for groups and small parties. Athens Pizza offers an extensive catering menu for parties of all sizes.

Raging Burrito & Taco on Decatur Square offers one of the best patio scenes in the city. In spring their garden patio comes alive as tables quickly get snapped up for lunch and dinner. The menu features hearty burritos, tasty tacos, large salads, quesadillas and more. On weekdays they offer free chips & dip from 11am to 3pm.

While relaxing on their patio, enjoy one of the 16 Craft Beers available on tap or one of their 40 tequilas. Also get a Sweetwater 420 and IPA pint for just $3.75 or pitcher for $12.75 Monday through Wednesday.

They offer free 1.5 hour validated parking 11am – 10pm Monday thru Thursday and 11am – 3pm on Friday for patrons.

Twin Peaks Restaurant

3365 Piedmont Rd. 404.961.8946 TwinPeaksRestaurant.com

Raging Burrito & Taco

141 Sycamore St. Decatur 404.377.3311 RagingBurrito.com

Since opening in Buckhead last year, the mountain lodge-style sports restaurant Twin Peaks and its beautiful Twin Peaks girls have definitely created “scenic views”.

Their street level , 2nd floor open air and lively rooftop patios are adorned with the outgoing and beautiful Twin Peaks Girls.

Twin Peaks features high-quality comfort food, an extensive selection of 29-degree

draft beer served from two full-service bars with 32 taps. The restaurant is located at Piedmont Road in North Buckhead, Atlanta’s renowned neighborhood and entertainment district.

Agave

242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 AgaveRestaurant.com

quality meats, cheeses, breads and pastas.

On their menu you'll find innovative homemade sauces, fresh dough and thoughtfully prepared dishes made from scratch every day. They offer a wide variety of salads, subs, calzones and of course pizzas to choose from at affordable prices.

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

Agave’s menu is a unique blend of eclectic southwestern cuisine and extensive tequila bar that goes great with al fresco dining.

Start with their two for one appetizers at the bar; available from 5pm - 7pm seven days a week. Then head to your table on their romantic southwestern designed patio with fireplace. With creative daily specials, award winning margaritas and great ambiance one can see why this is a Cabbagetown favorite. Make reservations now for their Tequila Dinner on April 9th.

Savage Pizza

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

This eclectic neighborhood restaurant is a favorite hangout among residents of Little 5 and Avondale Estates. Both locations offer indoor and patio seating.

Savage prepares all their menu items using only the freshest vegetables and finest

Dekalb Peachtree Airport 2000 Airport Rd. #201 770.452.0973 DownwindRestaurant.com

How many restaurants can boast patio seating with views of airplanes taking off and landing? The Downind Restaurant & Lounge, a family owned establishment off of Clairmont Road can. Not only is their view superb, the food is fabulous too.

Downwind boasts outstanding offerings including award winning burgers and some of the best seafood in Atlanta. Pilots fly in from Florida bringing Flounder, Sea Bass and fresh Fish of the Day. They offer a full bar and live music every Friday night from 7pm - close. Downwind is family friendly with an aviation themed playground for kids. Come help them cele brate 24 Years of aviation hospitality!

Live Music & Entertainment • Full Bar • Daily Specials • Takeout Available BEST PATIO in Buckhead

Mon-Fri 11am-10pm Saturday Noon-10pm • Sunday Closed 770.452.0973 • 2000 Airport Rd. #201, Atlanta

www.downwindrestaurant.com

PLENTY OF OUTDOOR SEATING ON OUR LARGE DECK! Great Subs, Sandwiches, Salads & Wings

WE Deliver!

Since 1980

Carrying the Braves Games on Multiple Plasma Screens

$7.50 LARGE CHEESE PIZZA

(Mondays Only)

Just off I-85 @ Clairmont (Corner of Briarcliff & Clairmont)

3109 Briarcliff Rd. | 404-320-1258

PG 8 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Park Tavern

500 10th Street NE 404.249.0001 ParkTavern.com

The Park Tavern has arguably the best backyard in the city overlooking Piedmont Park. This provides for great atmosphere.

They have a large patio area dotted with table seating and even private cabanas. The patio can be transformed for weddings and in winter becomes an ice rink. They offer half-off Sushi nightly from 10pm Midnight. Saturday, April 5th marks the spring launch of the Southwest Porch at Park Tavern. To kick off the season there will be an evening of music with Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea project. Join them for Easter Brunch as the Easter Bunny will be on hand at noon for pictures and Easter Egg Hunt. Reservations are recommended.

Mo’s Pizza

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

in NY Style pizza, which is thin in the middle and thick around the edges. The Cheshire Bridge location featured has daily lunch specials from just $6 and is offering $5 pitchers of beer and $1 PBR Drafts this spring. So bring the family and meet up with friends as the Braves game is sure to be shown. Johnny’s restaurants offer dine-in, take-out and delivery.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe’

1655 McLendon Ave. 404.687.8888 1001 Piedmont Ave. 404.874.8887 Catering 404.849.2283 FlyingBiscuit.com

The Flying Biscuit serves great breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Their Midtown location (shown) near Piedmont Park allows for dining inside or on their corner patio. The patio is surrounded by windows which come off when the weather cools, offering great views of the bustling Midtown scene.

The Flying Biscuit Midtown and Candler Park locations are offering new nightly dinner specials and new beer and wine selections this spring.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill

You may know about the burrito chain with the same name, but the original Mo’s resides on the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont. They have been serving up great pizza for over 30 years! Mo’s menu isn’t limited to pizza: sandwiches, subs, wings, nachos and salads ensure that anybody who comes here can find something they like. Come to Mo’s to watch the Braves.

There is ample space for dining indoors and outside on their patio with plenty of screens throughout. Mo’s is one of the longest running pizza joints in Atlanta, come see why they are one of the best.

East Andrews Cafe’

56 East Andrews Dr 404.389-0856 AndrewsDistrict.com

19 Area Locations 1001 Piedmont Ave. 404.874.8887 Catering 404.422.7107 Willys.com

As Atlanta’s original burrito chain, Willy’s is as popular as ever while they keep their California style concept true. Willy's Mexicana Grill offers a host of Fresh-Mex menu items made from the freshest ingredients. Enjoy the outdoors with a margarita and a burrito on the patio at Piedmont Park or at their Howell Mill location.

Howell Mill offers Live Music every other Friday at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm, Trivia nights on Wed and Thurs at 8pm. Willy's Kennesaw has Trivia every Wed at 8pm.

WWW.SAVAGEPIZZA.COM

484 Moreland Avenue • L5P • 404.523.0500 | 115 Laredo Dr. • Avondale • 404.299.5799

raging

Voted #1 since 1996

Burrito Voted #1 Since 1996!

& taco

ON DECATUR FREE ValidatEdSQUARE! PaRking!

Enjoy onE of our 16 craft BEErs on tap or Margaritas on our HugE gardEn patio Decatur, GA •

ragingburrito.com • 404-377-3311

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

Fellini’s

7 Area locations FellinisAtlanta.com

Andrews Entertainment District, in the heart of Buckhead, offers first class dining, entertainment, and nightlife scene. They now serve 8 distinct and diverse venues. As an original establishment in the district, East Andrews Cafe’ and Bar boasts awards in Best Singles Scene, Best Bartenders, Best Outdoor Bar and Best See and Be Seen.

Andrews Entertainment District is over 30,000 square feet of fun, and features Atlanta’s hottest DJ’s, best cocktails, and a lively bar scene. This is where Atlanta goes out for a night out on the town.

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

Johnny’s Pizza is synonymous with great pizza and subs in Atlanta. They specialize

As The Varsity is with hamburgers, Fellini’s is to Atlanta for pizza. They offer a simple menu that focuses on quality that can’t be beat. Favorite pizzas include the Spinach Mushroom and Fellini’s special. As popular as they are for their pizza, salads and calzones, Fellini’s is also known around Atlanta for their great patios. Almost all include a fountain like the Ponce location shown, and are always bustling with people.

BEST PIZZA!

& Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 9

GREEN

40 SIMPLE TIPS...

To Going Green for Earth Day

BY BRET LOVE

E

ARTH DAY WAS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED BY environmental activist John McConnell back in 1969, but it was U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson who founded it as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970.

The annual day of support has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 43 years, with events now held around the world to promote and support the idea that we as humans should protect the environment.

But the truth is that we shouldn’t wait for April 22 to practice environmental awareness and responsibility.

“Going green” is a lot easier than you might think, and taking simple steps such as the 40 we’ve listed below will not only help save the environment, but it’ll also help save you money!

AUTOMOBILE TIPS

• For every three pounds that your tires are below their recommended pressure, your fuel economy drops 1%.

Check the inside of your driver’s side door for the manufacturer’s label indicating the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) needed to properly inflate tires for your car.

• Save gas by driving sensibly (aggressive driving lowers gas mileage by 33%) and maintain a steady speed via cruise control.

• Remove any excess weight (an extra 100 pounds in your trunk reduces your mpg by 2%).

• If you’re idling for more than a minute, turn off the car until you’re ready to move again. Idling uses 1/4 to 1/2 a gallon of gas in an hour, costing a couple of cents per minute.

• Don’t warm your car up in the mornings. Use a jacket to stay warm and a pitcher of hot water to defrost the windows.

GREEN GARDENING TIPS

• Choose native plants with brightly colored red, purple and yellow flowers to attract wildlife and provide shelter.

• Provide water, whether via natural springs, birdbaths or ponds to attract birds and other wildlife.

• Create a simple DIY Rainwater Harvesting System that collects rainwater for use on lawns and gardens. All you really need is a 50-gallon barrel, a screen for filtering and a spigot!

• Recycled containers such as yogurt cups and egg cartons are great for starting seeds. Use a nail to poke drainage holes in the bottom, and ensure the containers are thoroughly cleaned before planting.

• Used coffee grounds and dried, crushed up eggshells make great fertilizer! Spread some over plants and flowers, or mix some in planting soil before planting.

• Let your garden truly go green, reducing chemical use and turf grass while letting the birds be your pest control for ants, spiders, and other insects.

• Start composting by collecting food waste and plant debris outside in a bin. Moisture, heat and aeration will help to speed up the process.

WATER-SAVING TIPS

• A full bath can take up to 70 gallons to fill, while a 5-minute shower uses just 10-25 gallons. Better yet, shower with your partner and together you’ll save nearly 100 gallons of water!

• Installing a low-flow shower head costs just $20, but this simple screw-on attachment can reduce water usage by 50-70%! Better still, a DIY shower shutoff valve will allow you to cut the water off while you get soapy without having to re-tweak your temperature.

• Any toilet manufactured before 1992 uses at least 3.5 gallons per flush. Modern low-flow toilets use less than 1.28 gallons, saving 60% of the water. A new toilet may cost a few hundred bucks, but it will save you several thousand dollars in water consumption over its lifetime.

(Note: adding a brick to the toilet tank will help save even more!)

• According to the EPA, a typical single-family home uses 30% of their water on irrigation to water their lawn. In

PG 10 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

many cases, more than half of that water is being wasted due to evaporation and runoff caused by overwatering.

Instead of high-maintenance lush green lawns, consider using the natural landscaping of your region, or at least creating an edible garden to offset your water usage.

• A big part of our water problem isn’t just that we overuse, but that we don’t make the most use of the water we have. Put a bucket in the shower to catch the grey water, then use that to flush your toilet. My grandmother used to wash her dishes in a plastic bin, then pour the nutrient-rich water over her plants.

HOME ENERGY TIPS

• Visit the Earth911 website to learn ways to dispose of unusual household products ranging from paint thinner and used batteries to broken computers and cell phones.

• Ceiling fans can create a killer breeze, or simply circulate the air from your AC more efficiently. Make sure you buy Energy Star fans, which use 50% less energy than comparable models.

• Incandescent light bulbs create as much heat as they do light, and home electronics stay hot even when they’re on standby. Shut ‘em off to save energy and cool things down a notch, and consider replacing old bulbs with Energy Star bulbs, which produce 75% less heat.

• Opt-out of any catalogs or subscriptions you don’t read or could read electronically instead.

• Power strip your small appliances and turn them off when not in use.

• Replace traditional appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified appliances (refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.).

• Add insulation to your attic and seal all windows and doors with caulk. Swap out older windows with more energy efficient models.

• Change air filters regularly and upgrade your water heater.

• Install a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature.

COOKING & CLEANING TIPS

• Just by covering a pot on the stove top, you can reduce energy use by up to two thirds and heat food faster, saving you both time and effort.

• Simultaneously preparing more than one food in the same pot saves both time and energy. For example, while boiling pasta you can easily steam fresh vegetables over the top of the pan.

• Paper products account for a third of the total waste in landfills. Sponges and cloth towels are cheaper, reusable, and take up less space than a roll of paper towels, and are easily disinfected by boiling them in hot water.

• Newspaper is great for cleaning mirrors and glass, and won’t leave behind a trail of lint like paper towels.

• Lemons have antibacterial qualities and will leave your kitchen smelling fresh. Tough stains on countertops can be removed by simply leaving lemon juice on the stain for a few minutes, and then wiping it away with a wet cloth.

• To maintain a sparkling clean toilet, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar rather than harmful bleach.

• To clear a clogged sink drain, try using a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Let the vinegar mixture sit for 15-30 minutes, and then run some hot water down the drain.

• Coffee grounds are an easy, greener alternative to pest repellents. Sprinkle some around any areas of the home that are prone to ants and get rid of a pesky problem.

• Use coffee grounds to help remove grease and stuckon food from pots and pans. Just mix them with a little water and the abrasive, acidic properties of the grounds will making cleaning quick and painless.

GREEN TRAVEL TIPS

• When you leave your hotel room, turn off the lights, heat/ AC and TV. • Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door so housekeeping staff won’t clean your room every day,

which will save on cleaning supplies and the electricity of vacuuming and washing bed linens.

• Take a BPA-free water bottle you can refill.

• Use just one bar of soap for sink and shower.

• Return brochures and maps once you’re finished using them.

• NEVER use the hotel laundry, as they typically wash each guest’s clothes separately, even if there are only a few items.

• Stick to marked trails to avoid harming native flora, and consider taking a bag to pick up trash along your journey.

• Shop smarter. Read labels, and ask questions like “What is this item made from?” All over the planet people sell items made from non-sustainable hardwoods, endangered species, and ancient artifacts.

• Buy local, seeking out indigenous artisans and learning about their craft.

• Hang your towels up and re-use them for several days, just as you would at home.

• Choose a “green” hotel that uses alternative energy sources, employs locals, and has a recycling program.

TV

BATTLEGROUND: RHINO WARS Animal Planet’s New Show Sends U.S. Special Forces to Africa to Fight Murderous Poachers

BY BRET LOVE

T

HERE’S A WAR GOING ON IN southern Africa. And though it may not have the human body count of, say, Sudan, this battle is just as bloody.

In 2012, more than 600 rhinos were illegally slaughtered in South Africa alone. More than 100 humans died in the fight to protect them.

Why? Because rhino horns are worth $45,000 a pound, thanks to lies alleging their healing properties that created increasing demand in the Asian medicinal market. There’s not a single scientific report to back up the claims that rhino horn can cure cancer or impotence, yet these majestic creatures continue to be killed at an alarming rate.

So Animal Planet, the network that brought you Whale Wars, decided to do something about it. They assembled a crack team of American special forces operatives, including 30-year-old Navy SEAL sniper Jeff “Biggs,” and sent them to South Africa’s Kruger National Park to work with the Anti-Poaching Units there. The results were filmed for an excellent new docu-series, BATTLEGROUND: Rhino Wars.

Biggs, who joined the military back in 2001, did 7 years of active duty (primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan), and is currently an Active Field Reservist. He recently took some time out of his schedule to talk about why the war to protect rhinos is important, why the South African APUs seem to be losing the battle against poachers, and what solutions he sees for the rapidly dwindling species.

What compelled you to take an assignment protecting rhinos?

Like most people, I was a little uneducated to begin with. I didn’t understand what was happening over there. Once I was given the brief on the decimation of the species, I stood up and said I’d love to fight for the cause. It sounded like a great adventure, and the right thing to do. I felt privileged to be chosen.

What are the biggest obstacles in Kruger National Park to keeping poaching under control?

Money. It is financially irresponsible for them to devote all of their energy and money to one animal, because then they can’t protect the other animals, like lions, elephants and leopards. All of these animals need to be cared for. The game wardens just don’t have the resources necessary to build up their defenses. The solution isn’t that hard. The rhinos are just targets to the poachers, and to harden the target would take better defenses and more rangers. Ultimately, we need to tell the world what’s going on so the demand [for rhino horn] goes down.

The scene in the first episode where you’re doing the sniper testing and the rifle’s aim is so far off must have been an eye opening experience.

We make due with what we have. But I don’t want people to have the misperception that it’s about us carrying rifles. That is only for our protection. We are ultimately there to protect and save the rhino’s life. We don’t want to pick a fight. Our mindset is to get the mission done without any casualties, period.

That may be your mindset. But, as they say on the show, in 2012 Kruger lost 600 rhinos AND 100 people in the battle to protect the species.

That’s ultimately why we have to be armed.

You have to protect yourself and protect your brothers from the evil person behind that gun.

We definitely don’t want to be out-played or out-gunned.

What do you think it’s going to take to get people concerned enough about this crisis of wildlife conservation in Africa to take action?

I hope we get some global awareness. We have to educate people and let them know that there’s a problem, because so many people don’t know. But something needs to be done.

You can’t watch this show and not understand that there’s a huge problem now. That’s where we’re going to get the world behind us. It’s not a South African problem; it’s a human problem.

It’s our responsibility as humans to stop our own species from killing these animals.

Why do you think the South African government only issues a small fine on convicted poachers, when ecotourism brings so much money into their economy?

The love of money is the root of all evil. I’m not the South African government, and I don’t know what their policies are. I can only tell you what we know about the problem: It’s all greed-driven. It’s all about money. They need to understand that there is no amount of money that will ever bring these animals back.

It seems like corruption of the system itself is part of the problem.

When I was a kid, every once in a while my mother would whoop my ass. You know why?

Because every once in a while I needed my ass whooped! There is a time and place.

Do you think there’s genuine hope that poaching can be stopped or slowed before all the rhinos are gone?

I think hope [among the APU] was dead, or close to it, when we showed up. People were giving up left and right, saying, “It is not if the rhinos will be gone, but when.” I think that we shocked them back into being hopeful, and they see that if we can get the masses behind us on this and educate people, the rhinos will be OK. But we don’t have a lot of time to act. We need to start now.

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In the scene where you’re watching a baby rhino cry for its dead mother, someone said it made them angry. Seems like it would be difficult to turn off your emotions completely in situations like that.

We’ve always had compassion. You come onto a target that has children, and you’re always compassionate to that. You don’t fight against good; you fight against evil. With the rhino, not PHOTOS BY MARK PETKO only is it not evil, but it’s a baby. It pulls at your heart if you have children. You connect that to your child losing its mother. AsVoted a father andOne Of Atlanta’s Consistently BestVoted Restaurants Consistently One Of Atlanta’s Best Restaurants a husband, I connected that to losing my wife INsite Best of Atlanta Winner INsite Magazine Best of Atlanta Winner and seeing my children deal withMagazine that, all for Best Southwestern Cuisine & Best Margarita !!

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insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 11

FILM

HYPNO-FATALE

Gorgeous Rosario Dawson is deep in a stylish new “Trance”

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

B

…THE FEET ARE THE MOST HONEST PART OF YOUR BODY. YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, AS MUCH AS EVERYONE THINKS ABOUT LOOKING SOMEONE SOLIDLY IN THE EYE, THAT ISN’T AS HONEST AS YOUR FEET.

Y BALANCING AN IMPRESSIVE resume of daring independents and profitable blockbusters, actress Rosario Dawson has established herself as one of the most versatile and dynamic talents of modern cinema. Currently starring as a hypnotherapist in Danny Boyle’s brutally artistic new film “Trance,” she plays the pivotal character in a mindwrenching plot of deceit and double-tripleand quadruple-crosses. Recently Dawson visited with members of the international press at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Insite was there to bask in her mesmerizing presence - and to ask a few questions.

How does it feel to be the femme fatale in Danny’s latest film?

The shifting sands of it is really compelling to me. Am I watching something that is actually happening or is it a hypnotic suggestion? Is this a woman’s film or a dude’s film? It’s an art heist thriller, with gangsters, and it feels like its got this formula, but then there’s this woman and she’s very strong, so is she a femme fatale? But wait, she’s not

Photo Courtesy Fox Searchlight Pictures

really using her feminine wiles to win over everybody, so what are we really watching?

at grandma,’ so you teach kids to lie on their face all the time. .

You aren’t the stereotypical leading lady in this film, yet the action constantly surrounds you.

I was excited to take on the role and this depth of character. But Danny has leapt from genre to genre and he does it in such a compelling way and I like that it’s challenging. I think people will enjoy it and be surprised by the ending. And not in the way that I get surprised by endings, and not in the way you think it’ll end.

What was the session like?

Well, when you go into hypnosis, you go into a state that’s sort of between sleeping and awake. And your body gets cooler, so they put a blanket over you. Your body is going, ‘Ok, you’re going to sleep, I can take that energy and put it toward other things.’ So my body got cooler and as she was talking, my foot would like, jerk, or twitch, but I wasn’t really paying attention to that. I thought ‘Oh, I’m going to sleep and sometimes that happens.’ But she goes, ‘Ok, your foot jumped at this point here and it seems you have an issue around this and this.’

It was just so fascinating. She was reading my subconscious by my physicality. It’s like magic, a different level of understanding and that was so exciting.

You finished it a while back, how do you react to the film now, with some time to contemplate the whole story cycle.

We shot it in 2011, so it’s been a while and I’m very curious to watch the reactions to it, myself. It’s not an obvious movie. It’s been our project for a long time and I’m very curious now to see how people react to it. I’m surprised by how surprised I was when I saw it again. And how much it has transformed from the original blueprint of the script to what it is now. I think it’s a solid, awesome ride.

Danny says that it changed substantially as you guys shot and edited it.

It’s funny because the script had a completely different ending at first and we shot it, and then we shot something else, and I love it. In a film that keeps you guessing the whole time, it was almost too perfunctory and obvious for an ending and it just didn’t deserve that. I think the audience, and the characters, deserved more. It was really great to have the space and room to have that time to look at it and change it. I really like it, I think the ending has that same kind of feeling where it keeps you thinking. It’s such an incredible puzzle.

Photo by Susie Allnutt

PG 12 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Did you spend time with any hypnotherapists as research?

Yes, I met with some here and I got inducted by a woman here. We met and just started talking. I remembered, as she was talking to me, that I’d read a book a couple of years ago, that said the feet are the most honest part of your body. Your facial expressions, as much as everyone thinks looking someone solidly in the eye, that isn’t as honest as your feet. You teach kids, even at an early age, ‘Don’t look like that,’ or ‘Smile

Have you considered going into the field of hypnotherapy? You are very convincing in the film.

It’s pretty outrageous. There’s an institute here, called the Hypnotic Motivation Institute. I was told a lot of actors do go there. You can go there and learn it. And it makes a lot of sense, because we’re storytellers. That’s where Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson, trained as a hypnotherapist! You know, she was married to John Kappas, who created a lot of techniques around meditation, and she’s still a licensed therapist.

What else did you do to prepare?

I practiced my voice a lot. In trying to figure out a way to speak in that state, it’s a difference cadence you need to use. In meeting with the different hypnotherapists, I noticed one of the things, across the board, was that they were all incredibly confident and they were always kind of sizing you up.

Which is interesting because you’re going in there to sort of size them up! They’re really trying to see how serious the patient is, to get to that place where you are paying however much it is, to get to.

Acting is mostly suggestion.

Yes and it’s interesting because we’re all very culpable. How we feel about something and the wording we use, can absolutely change how we feel about things. Like, ‘Absolutely, war is really bad - unless you’re

the hero.’ Or I could never imagine telling my kid, ‘I’d love for you to run into flaming buildings for a living.’ But you’re so proud of them when they become firefighters.

Multiple issues, including religion, war, nationality, patriotism; suggestion is all a big part of how we communicate almost every idea. Not just in acting, but all propaganda works in that same space.

You have a bit of a song in the film and a whole track on the soundtrack album.

I do, it was a favorite of Danny’s that he had in mind for the character. It kind of just came up, with me singing it around on set.

Then, we had to do a re-shoot of that scene, and he said, ’Can we try one where you are actually singing?’ They played with different versions of it where they auto-tuned and it didn’t even sound like me, but then it went back to the basic and it’s actually quite lovely.

Its nice, but it’s not me, actually singing, or trying to be a proper singer, it’s kind of ethereal and soft and I liked it because its kind of random.

All of the music in Trance [composed by Rick Smith], plays a huge part in this film, as it does in many of Danny’s movies.

I’m a big music fan, and I’ve had the chance to work with several people who are very serious about the music they put in their films: like Quinton [Tarantino] and Spike [Lee], too. I didn’t really pay attention to filters and the way they were shooting stuff, there were so many things to think about be surprised about later. But the music is so dynamic. You can give your performance, but you’re only a part of the puzzle.

You’ve worked with Prince, Outkast, The Chemical Brothers, Kasabian and even as a Pussycat [in 2001’s live-action “Josie And The Pussycats”] would you ever consider doing a whole album of your own songs?

I do think about that sometimes, because it’s fun to sing. Maybe just throw it out there, Amanda Palmer-style; I don’t want to go so far as to go touring or anything like that. It would be fun to do some of the songs I’ve written and just put them out. But I’d really like to produce my mom [writer-singer Isabel Celeste]. She’s been singing to me since I was a little girl. It’s funny, I’ll sing them sometimes and they’re hits -- in my head. So I feel like, if I ever really make an album, it’ll probably be my mom’s.

FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD ADMISSION (PG-13)

 Tina Fey has broken enough ground for funny women that she’s earned the right to do an occasional mediocre romcom for the money. And nobody doesn’t like Paul Rudd, arguably the most amiable actor since Tom Hanks, even if no one buys a ticket just because his name’s on the poster. Team them up with director Paul Weitz, who’s got a spotty record, and the result is pleasant but forgettable. Portia (Fey) works in admissions at Princeton. John (Rudd) teaches at a hippy-dippy New England high school and lobbies her on behalf of one of his students, By B. Love who he thinks is the child Portia gave up for s one of AmericA’s most adoption when she was in college. Various successful and high profile businesssubplotsmen, (e.g., adopted Ugandan orphan, Donald trump was well known rivalry for promotion) appearmark to have been long before survivor producer Burnett picked out of a hat for inclusion.

Admission tapped him to star in the Apprentice. But could no earn a footnote in film history there’s denying that the reality show for its appeal to the underserved audience turned trump from a cartoonish curiositythat wants to see Tomlin (who plays into a bona fideLily phenomenon, with his Portia’s signamom) make jokes“You’re about mastectomies while ture catchphrase– fired!”– inextricaplaying an ardent feminist.

Jane Wagner bly entering the pop culture lexicon. needs to write Tomlin some newflounmaterial Although the Apprentice initially and Fey needs to write more of her own. dered a bit in the ratings, Burnett and trump Warren stumbled upon a winning formula–Steve by recruit-

man (Michael Eklund) in a mall parking lot.

The script is cleverly constructed to provide necessary exposition without force-feeding us. If there’s a problem it’s that the story is structured to make us more concerned about Berry than the girl whose life is in danger, but they both get in their licks in the satisfying conclusion that will leave potential kidnappers knowing better than to ply their trade on Halle’s watch.

–Steve Warren

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

A

THE CROODS (PG) 

There’s reading something through abouthypocritical them for so about many The Croods.

It of emphasizes the importance years, but a lot times somebody that you of thinking is primarily of don’t think of but so highly turns outcomprised to be a star. mindless action engage You just don’t knowdesigned what will to happen withthe youngestand viewers.

It’sof well done action - some pressure the heat battle. pretty amazing, eye-popping 3D computer

What does a- celebrity have todoesn’t do to really animation but the script practice set apart and itshow that they’re thethemselves mental stimulation preaches.

Grug in it to win (voiced by it?

Nicolas Cage) is the patriarch of i can tell youthe from 1 and 2 and the Croods, lastseasons surviving cave family from the regular in their part of Apprentice, the world. people “Neverreally not be want to” win. every once a while you’ll of afraid, he teaches his in family, especially have a quitter, but it doesn’t happen often.are anything new and different; and “Ideas ifor think the reason they the do itdistributor is the levelisofFox weaklings. ” Since intensity they for their Unlike Films, not Foxfeel News, he’s charity. wrong, like every the regular where somebody sitcom dadApprentice, since the beginning of televised works me for a teen prettydaughter good salary a time. for Rebellious Eep for (Emma year, with this one the money goes to charStone) sneaks out of the cave and meets a ity. yearGuy we raised millions of who dollars. guyLast named (Ryan Reynolds), warns everybody has a charity that they love;speaks some of an imminent apocalypse but also are foundations they’ve set up themselves of a beautiful new home in Tomorrow. On years advance thethe show. so i think their in journey Guyofand Croods inventthey fire, really fight more intense because it’s a charshoes, rides, snapshots, mother-in-law jokes ity for. terrific combination andthey’re love. fighting A visually

ing second- and third-tier actors, athletes, BERT STERN: ORIGINAL MAD MAN (NR) models and musicians for a celebrity edition  of the show. now in its third incarnation, Thecelebrity materialApprentice could be better the tossesorganized disparate but almost about the octogenarian stars sucheverything as rocker Bret michaels, wrestler photographer’s is fascinating so that’s Goldberg, baseballlife legend Darryl strawberry, not a big issue. The was made Stern’s former governor ron film Blagojevich andbysharon “soulmate” and “only friend, ” Shannah osbourne together for atrue variety of teamLaumeister.

He and metchallenges her when designed she was to 13 building exercises andtheir they’ve beenmettle. (mostly non-sexual, she test business of The Flintstones and Avatar, The Croods “the friends Donald,since ” as the says) shecrazy-coiffed was 17; she’sreal still less What are your favorite challenges to watch doesn’t offer adults much in the way of the estate if often recentlytoheld than magnate half his age.

Theknown, guy appears be a the celebrities tackle? ideas it promotes. The best laugh (and court with reporters discuss the show’s real horndog with astomany young girlfriends new Well, we do have a lot of different challengI’m pretty sure it’s intended as a joke) comes current season. as Hugh Hefner, but he speaks in terms of es, whether we go back to the selling of the when theorvoice of Nic Cage criticizes his wanting to “make out” with women, not lemonade doing something else very basic Can youwith tell us a littleStern’s bit about the selecdaughterhaving for being overly sleep them. career is more without to deal withdramatic.

Proctor & Gamtion process?

–Steve Warren interesting than his personal life, and a ble or Kodak, etc. sometimes [sponsor-based it’s very interesting, so many photos 90-minute montage because of his celebrity challenges] are sort of interesting, but they’re celebrities wanta satisfying to be on the showHow afterhethe FROM UPforONusPOPPY HILL (PG)suggest would make film. took expensive to do. the ratings success the previous two seasons.

Webefore  the lastofpictures of Marilyn Monroe that the fans’ favorite part of the show by wanted someforms athletes, some but I’m less enamored than many critics of the her death the some film’sactors, centerpiece, far is the boardroom, and the boardroom models andrefers some(at wrestlers, animated features Japan’s legendary the title least in so onei would sense)say to the has gotten longer overfrom the years because of probably six brought or seven creativity people pertospot we Studio Ghibli.

Their latest represents way Stern advertising that. the challenges still have plenty of time a were turning down. the1950s hardestand thing is thatOf passing of the torch from Hayao Miyazaki, photography in the ‘60s. and we’re focused on both aspects, but we we really have some good people that want who been adapted thetostory from the a graphic novel, course it also refers to his mental problems, have trying lengthen boardroom tomost go onifvery But i guesstomaybe we’llHe to his son, Goro Miyazaki, who directed. notbadly. all attributed drugs. because of strong viewer requests. save them such for thelong next hours show, because looks The film’s most appealing elements involve worked he got ithooked like that’s going to happen. its sense and placeattorney – 1963 Yokohama on amphetamines to stay awake. Former You’re likeofatime prosecuting in the – but it’s strategically de-Asianed to maketoit ballerina Allegra Kent, Stern’s second wife boardroom.

Do you meter your approach How is this season going to be different than more exportable.

The wide-eyed Japanese and the mother of his three children, doesn’t different personalities? past seasons? faces, Yes, i thinkhave you vaguely deal withwesternized different people have much good to say about him, so this characters Well, when you have a success like we’ve their mouths make non-specific movements i deal with Goldberg differently isn’t the usual hagiography. Stern may have differently. had, you don’t like to do too many changes. to facilitate redubbing andBlagojevich. the musicali score i deal with Governor airbrushed his subjects’ warts, but his are on than What we do have is a different tone. the cast is American-ish except Japanese dealt with Dennis jazz rodman andfor Joana rivers full view. has been very interesting: they’ve been very pop song than (“Sukiyaki”) was acontes#1 hit in differently some of that the other –Steve Warren tough and very nasty, but there’s also a lot of tants.

You in have to have ability.

America June 1963.thatThe story, a teen fun and humor with respect to what happens, romance, involves questions of parentage THE CALL (R) which i don’t think we had in the last one.

How feel Star goingWars back in the boardthat dogetyouinto territory before  With Joan [rivers] and with Piers [morgan], room after acharacters little hiatus? one of the says, “It’s like a cheap The next time you look up “suspense” in the it was really nasty people really hating each i just get a ”great kicka out of it.presaging i really like melodrama.

He’s rebel, the dictionary you may find a link to The Call, other. these people hate each other, but it’s itstudent a lot. they want to renew it for another movement of the ‘60s, fighting which defines the word pretty well.

It’s the also funny. i think that might be the biggest two or three seasons, and we’re thinking most harrowing kidnap drama differentiation in terms of the threesince casts. The to preserve an old clubhouse on the high i like having a littlethe bit of a break schoolthat. campus.

Likewise, Miyazakis Silence of the Lambs, and though it’s not about between shows, where it goes on once a year. are preserving the dying art of hand-drawn in ayou class with that film as Can usually tell right offart, the it’s batahead who isof animation.

There are a number of familiar the curve for this kind of edge-of-your-seat going to do well and who isn’t?

Do you ever feelAmerican bad aboutvoice firingcast someone, names in the but few entertainment.

Berry is introduced that’s always theHalle most interesting quesor is it just part of the job? as to a me 911because operator whose errorof leads tion i’d like to think myselfto of their voices are recognizable. The slow i always no, not always. somepace and feel lackbad… of action should keep young kidnapping murder of ai’llteenage asthe being okay with and people.

But often say, times i don’t like people. the hard ones are viewers away, despite the family-friendly girl. one Six ismonths getsthen a shot “this going tolater be aBerry star,” and he at when you really like and respect somebody redemption a sort another girl rating. turns out to beofa dud.

You when never really know. an ex-Warren (Abigail Breslin) kidnapped by the same and they make a mistake. Like, as–Steve You feel like you’ve isknown these celebrities

SPRING BREAKERS “Is it an existential view on the idea of growing up and finding yourself? Or, is it a graphic illustration of what young adults need to figure out about life, in general? Either way, it’s headscratchingly good.”

Our review:  the house who becomes acting president when North Korean terrorists kidnap Pres.  Aaron Eckhart by taking over the White A number of potential viewers will be Housephrase, with an attack-resistant plane, aafleet It turned out to Be a good But It was turned off to Sophie (Tashiana Washington) of garbage trucks and some well-planned FLuke. durIng the very FIrst show I was a LIttLe and Malcolm (Ty Hickson) when they’re infiltration. Soon the only one who can exasperated wIth one and I (Gerard used introduced stealing spray paint fromoFa the save contestants the country is Mike Banning the when [producer] store in the LIne, opening “you’re scene. They FIred!” need it Butler), a former Secret ServiceMark agent who’s because they’re and bombers – graffiti artists itching to getwe backdIdn’t into action.have Some Burnett I agreed to dobeen the show – beautifying the Bronx one wall at a time. good supporting players (Angela Bassett, that. we thought we’d say, “get the heLL out If all that bothers you you’ll have to leave Dylan McDermott, Ashley Judd) have too soMethIng. your moral code outside, oF or athere” least put itor little to do while Melissa Leo does a little too on holdscott for Hamilton, a few minutes. heroes much.

There’s a by-the-numbers quality to fact that you raised such self-sufficient ample, from the Our last season. more as fan youof realize screenplay as events unfold predictably children? ibecome had to let scottsympathetic go. i’m a great scott: the howwon lacking theygold aremedals in bothand wisdom and butWell, incredibly, witha F-bombs bursting air i’m getting lot of credit on theinchilHe olympic he’s a great street wisdom.

They’d be over their heads to show how tough everybody is (just like dren. everybody’s been asking about ivanka champion. But he understood that he made a wading Theand goali really of thishad tagno team middle a level and theschool) answer and is yes, she’llofbeviolence back on that’s the ainmistake on pool. the show is to bomb bigbadly plastic apple thatbecause pops up almost toothey’re muchvery forgood network television. show. But kids. they went choice. i feltthe very about that, thehim Mets score at Shea Stadium.

Within its formulaic limitations, to very good schools, and they wereOlympus great iwhenever considered to be a great person, but i As they try to raise $500 for expenses the Has Fallen delivers. have to do what’s right. it’s never fun, but it’s students. i couldn’t wait to get them on the fools are from any money show. i had no idea the show would –Steve beWarren into easier whenquickly i don’t parted like somebody or when they acquire.

Thebad. most obvious sign of itsninth and tenth season, which is pretty they’re really, really SILENCE (NR) of television. their ignorance is that Malcolm and Sophie THE amazing in the world don’t line, realize they fired, should be boyfriend and  That “You’re ” became a pop culinvolving thriller, The Silence There’s been German lots of news surrounding NBCis girlfriend instead ofCan acting like brother and An ture phenomenon. you talk about the lately, yourheavy show on does well for them. a origin it? onand action, characterization; sister. ofWriter-director Adam Leon strikes light What procedural you think NBC do to In get1986 back turned to be a good phrase, withneeds moretodepth. a itrare and out wonderful balance.

Forbutallit the police in the game?girl is bicycling through was a fluke.

During very firstthat show anratings 11-year-old tough talk and badthe behavior arei was part Pia, Well,when i know Jeff raped Gaspinand (chairman of nBc aoflittle exasperated witha one of the con- to a field she’s murdered, her ghetto life, there’s sweet innocence Universal television entertainment) as testants useddays the in line, thrown in a lake.

The killer isand, never this storyand of itwo the“You’re life of fired!” a pair of body you know, new the role.

When [producer] mark Burnett In he’s 2009, 23toyears lateri think to thehe’s day, teenagers who don’t know how and to bei agreed bad or found. going toanother do a spectacular job at nBc. to dotothe there’s girl, another bike, thethey same why beshow good.we didn’t have that. We need more like the Apprentice. not thought we’d say, “Get the hell out of here” or field and shows the same outcome, although –Steve Warren necessarily fromfound a reality standpoint, but something. And all of a sudden America went her body isn’t immediately.

What theypolice need shows imaginacrazy over the it happens OLYMPUS HASshow.

FALLEN (R) to be a great the don’t that knowcapture is thatthethere was a tion. to the first crime. He’s shaken by catchphrase. tV Guide or one of the major  witness certainThe shows are headed on should entertainment magazinesshaking-up did a poll and, after thefrankly, We need an occasional to keep similarity. copthat who the be changed because, while they get “Here’s Johnny!” and one other great, it was us paranoid between seasons of Homeland. investigation into Pia’s death has justsome retired pretty good they don’t isgetalso people #3 on the top phrasesis inan television hisOlympus Has100Fallen earthbound but wants to reviews, help. Pia’s mother drawn watching. tory! so that a pretty honor. it’s been nice to get both.assigned We’ve had version of was 1997’s Air big Force One, with back in andit’s one of the police to the an amazingelse thingdoing and antheamazing phrase emmy lot of good ac- five someone fighting for that the case is nominations David, who and just areturned from just seems to work. it really Some caughtpresidents on, and colades passed our way, that’s always kidnapped U.S. president. months’ leave after his and wife’s death and is it’s been an amazing thing to watch. nice.

But ultimately you have to have have tried to play God, so it’s not much of obviously having trouble adjusting.people The watch. nBcthem is going really do well. i know a stretch for Morgan Freeman, who has case brings andtoothers, including the What do you think is your biggest accomtheir leadership i think they’re winners, already played God, to play the speaker of parents of the and latest missing-presumed-

GIMME THE LOOT (NR)

plishment, your business success or the

so i think they’ll turn it around.

insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 13

dead girl, together in interesting ways as the situation moves slowly toward a conclusion, perhaps even a resolution.

–Steve Warren

SPRING BREAKERS (R)

 Ready for a sensory overload of all things neon? In this eclectic, controversial Harmony Korine (Kids) story about a Spring Break gone wrong, you’ll get your fill of oversized sunglasses, skimpy swimsuits, beer funnels, weed and cornrows. But what reads as a trashy color wheel of immature fun in the trailer actually translates into a movie worth noting. It’s filmed beautifully, with each and every detail perfected to the point of reality.

Casting is impeccable, finding James Franco in his ultimate role and bringing Disney starlets Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez out of their tween-dream bubble. Bottom line? This is a surprisingly good story– subtle, but dramatic at the same time– about the fate of four girls who are living on the edge, all in the name of Spring Break. Is it an existential view on the idea of growing up and finding yourself? Or, is it a graphic illustration of what young adults need to figure out about life, in general? Either way, it’s head-scratchingly good.

–Jennifer Smith Williams

STARBUCK (R)

 Don’t let the title mislead you: this film is NOT about the beloved bean-grinders that get us moving in the morning. No, this story (from writer/director Ken Scott) is about a single Starbuck, a pseudonym that essentially means “big daddy.” The film follows a 42-yearold screw-up (Patrick Huard) who gets his ho-hum girlfriend pregnant, right about the same time that 142 of his 533 kids report him as their anonymous, sperm donor father (talk about your past coming back to bite you, huh?). It’s funny and blunt, but in a way that is also tender and genuine. The story provides hope, vengeance and mercy, all wrapped up in the same package and delivered with an awkward kiss on the cheek. And while David (Starbuck’s actual name) may have a little bit more shopping to do around the holidays this year, he’s certainly thinking about putting a little more heart into it. This outlandish tale is worth seeing if you’re looking for something light-hearted, comical and a bit outside your comfort zone. It’s also a foreboding tale about the trouble that often follows when one becomes maybe a little too lackadaisical in life.

–Jennifer Smith Williams

STOKER (R)

 Bring on the creepy! And, by creepy, I mean the ridiculously entertaining, can’tput-your-finger-on-it sense of unease that comes from the onscreen chemistry between Aussie actresses Mia Wasikowska and Nicole Kidman. Kidman has always had a knack for suspense (see: Eyes Wide Shut, The Others). But, when paired with a grown-up, dark-haired Alice and Matthew Goode’s seemingly innocent demeanor, this movie has the recipe for fright. I loved it.

The well-cast story is a perfect combination of kinkiness and melancholy, with a dash of curiosity and justice. The story’s dynamic tension is subtle, gentle and slow to build. But when it does, you’ll have to remind yourself to close your mouth. Props to the writers, of course, but HUGE props go to the cinematic vision of every single scene by legendary Korean director Chan-Wook Park (Oldboy).

The film opens and ends so beautifully, the grotesqueness of the story’s moral is not only excused, but welcomed.

–Jennifer Smith Williams PG 14 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

TRANCE

 Danny Boyle, the creative genius behind Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting, follows the over-the-top splash of his Summer Olympics opening ceremony with this new psychological thriller. Here, instead of directing a fleet of historic characters and tableaus, his eye for detail and style locks in on the intricacies of an art heist. But, of course, as with any good Boyle film, there are many layers in the visual presentation and storyline. The central theme of hypnosis and trust gives him a canvas on which to paint an often graphic, head-wrenching tale. The result is a brutally artistic film that features Rosario Dawson as Elisabeth Lamb, a hypnotherapist in the middle of a tangled plot of deceit and double/triple-crosses. Even if we were to offer spoilers, you wouldn’t be disappointed with the shocking conclusion, because this is a film that simply will not allow the viewer to second-guess the constantly unfolding, ultra-complex narrative. It’s a nesting doll of unexpected developments, framing one of the most twisted stories in recent Hollywood memory. With James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel cast as corrupt anti-heroes, the art heist aspect takes a distant second place to the production’s overall sensory overload. Shot both before and after his Olympic spectacle, Boyle balances greed and lust with the pulsing power of hypnotism and sexuality. Dawson, always an engaging presence, is challenged here to literally strip herself naked, physically and emotionally. The result is a harrowing visual display that finds Boyle reunited with longtime producer/writing partner John Hodge for a script that is alternates between the horrific and the surprisingly humorous, with an absolutely essential, pulsing soundtrack from Underworld’s Rick Smith.

–Lee Valentine Smith

WEST OF MEMPHIS (R)

 If you’re among the sheeple who believe America’s capitalistic system is still interested in “liberty and justice for all,” you clearly haven’t kept up with the West Memphis 3 controversy. In brief: 20 years ago, three young boys were brutally murdered in Arkansas, and three “alternative” teens were charged with the crimes based on a coerced confession (from a boy with an IQ of 72) and ZERO evidence. Celebs like Eddie Vedder, Johnny Depp and Henry Rollins contributed to their defense, as did director Peter Jackson (who co-produced this film with Damien Echols, the alleged WM3 ringleader). Finally, in 2011, the three men copped a bizarre Alford plea: The state of Arkansas agreed to let them go free after they admitted being guilty to crimes that everyone involves clearly knows they didn’t commit. Although the story has been well documented in three Paradise Lost films for HBO, West of Memphis digs even deeper into the crowd-sourced investigation that ultimately freed the WM3, and into the soul of Echols himself. The result is an inspiring, often infuriating look at how far the American legal system has fallen, where DAs, judges and law enforcement officials are more interested in career advancement than catching criminals. The WM3’s freedom ultimately comes at a great price, with negligent Arkansas government officials off the hook, innocent men still technically regarded as guilty, and the guilty (a.k.a. Terry Hobbs, the sociopathic stepfather of one of the murdered boys) left to walk the streets.

It’s joyous to see Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. set free after spending half their lives in prison for crimes they did not commit. But in the end, the viewer is left well aware that in no way has justice been served.

–Bret Love

TV

ALISON’S STARTING TO HAPPEN

Actress Alison Brie Sets Strict Community Standards

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

LISON BRIE IS BESTKNOWN for her role on NBC’s Community as straight-laced Annie Edison, an idealistic twenty-one year-old community

also a television fan-favorite for her portrayal of Trudy Campbell on Mad Men. Additionally, her cult-fave film credits include “Scream attractive actress spoke with the press recently about details of the new fourth season of Community -- and how her character has grown and yes, matured, during the past three years of college.

Due to the type of sophisticated humor in the show, do you think you’ll look back, maybe a few years from now, and consider that it was ahead of its time?

I do think that it’s always been a very progressive show. [Creator] Dan Harmon set this precedent of really pushing the boundaries of what could be on network television. And in that way, I think it will take people some time to catch up with it because genius of the show is that it weaves in all types of things. Later this season, we have our Christmas episode, which is an homage to the Alfred Hitchcock movie, “Rope.” So it’s not like all of our references are completely current and in the moment. Some of the stuff really spans genres and time periods. I’ve always felt that it’s a show that’s better the second time you watch it because there’s so much going on, you catch it again later.

Let’s discuss the change and growth of Annie, like all the characters, has always been changing, because they started out as singular beings and now they’re sort of a unit.

Just in terms of gaining friends and growing up a little like everyone does. In college you’re learning so much about yourself through your interactions with these other people. I always think of Annie as being two steps forward and one step back. She started out so studious and just seemed very driven and is still driven, but we’ve seen some detours. She gets hung up on guys, she gets hung up on the friend group and trying to keep the study group together.

She’s never had friends like this before and she’s never had guys interested in her before. and she’s discovered a new major, forensics, that she’s now interested in and feeling really passionate about again. And so we sort of see her returning to being that figure for the group, being driven and to being the voice of reason for the group.

When the new writers and producers joined the production, were you relieved that the show continues pushing limits and advancing the characters?

When we met the new guys, they really stressed how much they loved the show and wanted to keep it the same. So we all were certainly very vocal this season to speak to what our characters would or wouldn’t do and the way things might go on the show. We’re all working together to keep the show intact.

One of the highlights of Season three was the episode where Annie and Abed had their moment in the “Dreamatorium” and they both had personal breakthroughs. Are we going to see more of that interaction as future episodes air?

By having Annie go in there, you got to let the whole audience go in there and really take this journey into Abed’s mind, which is a place we’re never really privy to.

It was really special because I think Annie and Abed have distinct differences in their characters, but also have similarities in their lack of being able to relate to other people.

Annie has never really had a lot of friends.

And I think Abed has never had this many friends at one time. So in certain ways they’re similar sort of outcasts and it was fun to watch them get to know each other.

Looking back on the previous episodes, what do you think was a pivotal moment, one that you just hold dear to your heart in terms of what allows you to progress with your character, and how it works within the world of Community?

I love the episode from Season two with Troy’s 21st birthday, where all of the characters go to the bar. It’s a really dark episode for the show at that point. It was our darkest episode; of course (seasons) two and end of the episode just with Annie and Troy, who were in high school together and are the of “I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know where I’m going,” which is a feeling everyone has at different points in their life.

It was such an amazing, honest scene and that’s one that I always think of.

What episodes do you think fans should be looking forward to for the rest of the season?

I think the episodes get better and better throughout the season. I’m really excited for our Christmas episode, the one that’s Hitchcock inspired. Also, we have a “Freaky Friday”-type episode that was written by Jim Rash, who plays Dean Pelton, and is an Academy Award-winner for screenwriting, so that’s a really fun one. Also, going back to change, this is what I’ll say about change: “Hang in there.” Because I think the season finale is such a special treat. It’s one of my favorite episodes this season. I think it has a lot of elements in it that are just made for the fans, with a lot of heart in there from all of us.

SpringFESTIVAL GUIDE2013

APRIL

award-winning exhibitions including the newest exhibit, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: How the Word is Passed Down.

For more information about this program or to purchase admission tickets, please visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Family

Sheep to Shawl Atlanta History Center SATURDAY APRIL 13

Georgia Renaissance Festival Exit 61 - Peachtree City / Fairburn APRIL 13 - JUNE 2

delectable delights including the popular giant roasted turkey legs. Endless entertainment awaits with ten stages featuring juggling, music, comedic storytelling and feats of incredible physical skills. The whole family will enjoy the Royal Petting Zoo and the thrilling rides in the medieval amusement park. There is also original extreme sports like the Jousting Tournament of Kings, and the magnificent highflying Birds of Prey and Animal Show. For more information visit www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Kick off your family's springtime adventures with a little time travel at Atlanta History Center’s Smith Family Farm. Blacksmithing, candle dipping, open-hearth cooking, and sheep shearing are just a few examples of fun and immersive activities. The event takes place on Saturday, April 13, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Learn the importance of shearing sheep’s wool each spring as you observe shearing demonstrations. Children receive a handful of wool as a keepsake before taking part in a variety of entertaining hands-on activities and demonstrations that illustrate the process of wool being washed, sorted, carded, spun, dyed, and woven into a shawl – literally, from sheep to shawl. Guests also enjoy strolls through the gardens, storytelling, traditional music, kid friendly crafts, and even a petting zoo! Inside the museum, tour the

Piedmont Park APRIL 19, 20 & 21

The Georgia Renaissance Festival returns for its 28th year on weekends and Memorial Day, from April 13th through June 2nd. Designed to help visitors imagine that they have time traveled back to Elizabethan England, the Georgia Renaissance Festival creates the fantasy with themed buildings and rides, costumed actors, and creative entertainment and interactive activities. Once inside the gates, you'll find Knights in shining armor and Maidens Faire, King Henry VIII and his Court, jolly pubs and a 32-acre World Bazaar full of elaborate treasures created by nationally renowned artisans. Feast like royalty on

Spring is in the air and that can only mean one thing, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is back! The Dogwoods are in full bloom, and hundreds of artists from around the country will set up their tents for the 77th Annual event. There is something for everyone at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Come visit the Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture,

paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more. The little ones will enjoy the Kids Village featuring huge inflatables, arts & crafts and face painting for all ages, as well as the ever-popular 24-foot rock-climbing wall.

A wide array of diverse musical offerings will be on hand throughout the weekend. On Saturday this year, there will be a free concert with very special guest Sarah Evans! No pet dogs are allowed according to Atlanta ordinance. For more info visit www.dogwood.org.

Sweetwater 420 Fest Candler Park APRIL 19 - 21

This three day music and arts festival celebrating Earth Day is held Atlanta's historic Candler Park. There is free admission for live music, food, and eco-oriented educational experiences. Festival goers 21+ and with a valid ID can purchase a $5 wristband to responsibly enjoy Sweetwater beer and wine.

A portion of proceeds from wristband sales are donated to Candler Park Neighborhood Association, to make improvements to Candler Park. The festival attracts thousands of visitors to Atlanta each year and has emerged into a music and artsdriven educational platform for environmental awareness and activism. People are continued on next page

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CO N C E RT

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A l s or i n g tu Fe a

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APRIL 25

BROWN SUGAR

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LIVE DJ Entertainment Each Week FOOD TRUCKS | VENDORS Bring your blankets and lawn chairs

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encouraged to limit the impact on the neighborhood and take MARTA. The festival is conveniently located just two blocks from the Candler Park MARTA station.

Visit www.sweetwater420fest.com for additional information, updates, and directions.

36TH ANNUAL

Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes Bessie Branham Park MAY 11 & 12

Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes APRIL 26 - 28 Artwork: Layers by Charly Palmer | Photo Credit: Donald Matter Photography

Loews Atlanta Hotel Official Hotel of the 2013 Atlanta Jazz Festival

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SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 11:00A - 10:59P ATLANTA’S MAIN STAGE INTERNATIONAL 1:00P FESTIVAL HOURS IN PIEDMONT PARK

STEPHENSON HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE AARON DIEHL QUARTET ALEXANDRA JACKSON MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE QUARTET

JAZZ STAGE

3:00P 5:00P 7:00P 9:00P

2:00P TRI-CITIES HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND 3:30P AURÁN ORITZ QUARTET 5:00P RIO NEGRO 6:30P CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT

The Inman Park Festival is a neighborhood event featuring food, music, fun, the city's largest street market and it's most outrageous parade. The parade takes place on Saturday, April 27th and will be led by the Inman Park Butterfly and followed by floats, clowns, jugglers, and the legendary Kelly's Seed and Feed Marching Abominables. The parade begins at Edgewood and Euclid at 2:00 p.m. and runs to Austin Ave. at the foot of Little Five Points.

Children's activities include a giant slide, obstacle course, relay races and more. The festival's home tour features elegant, turn-of-thecentury Victorian homes, bungalows, and variety of contemporary designs. Admission to all festival events is free, except for the Tour of Homes, which requires a paid ticket. For information about the Festival or Tour of Homes, visit www.inmanparkfestival.org.

MAY

Shakespeare in the Park: Much Adu About Nothing Legacy Fountain at Piedmont Park MAY 1 – MAY 5

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2013 11:00A - 10:59P FESTIVAL HOURS IN PIEDMONT PARK

10:00P - 2:00A AJF LATE NIGHT JAZZ JAM @ LOEWS ATLANTA HOTEL

Hogs & Hops

WITH DIONNE FARRIS FEATURING THE RUSSELL GUNN QUARTET www.ticketalternative.com

ATLANTA’S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ STAGE

MAIN STAGE

1:00P NORTH ATLANTA CENTER FOR THE ARTS JAZZ BAND 3:00P RIALTO JAZZ FOR KIDS 5:00P JACOB DEATON AND THE TRIBULATION BAND 7:00P GRETCHEN PARLATO 9:00P TIA FULLER

3:30P J.C. YOUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE 5:00P GINOU 6:30P RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA’S GAMAK

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013 11:00A - 10:59P ATLANTA’S MAIN STAGE INTERNATIONAL 1:00P FESTIVAL HOURS IN PIEDMONT PARK

BENJAMIN MAYS HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ORCHESTRA RIALTO YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA JULIE DEXTER DOMINICK FARINACCI JOSÉ JAMES

JAZZ STAGE

3:00P 5:00P 7:00P 9:00P

3:30P THE WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE 5:00P URI GURVICH QUARTET 6:30P MIGUEL ZENÓN QUARTET

Young love...it's a walk in the park. Unless the love-birds are Beatrice and Benedick, in which case the match seems most likely made anywhere but in heaven. But when a jealous villain threatens the true love of their friends Hero and Claudio, will Beatrice & Benedick put aside their differences—and find true love of their own—in thie delightful and hilarious romantic comedy. Shows beginat 7:30 p.m. with picnicking before and during the performances. For free tickets, patrons can come to Piedmont Park or the Georgia Shakespeare Box Office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the morning of the show to get up to four free general admission tickets to that night’s performance.

For those patrons who want to avoid standing in line, they can purchase general admission tickets in advance for $10. Reserved seating is also available for advance purchase. To purchase advance tickets, visit gashakespeare.org

Taste of Alpharetta

Across from Alpharetta City Hall MAY 9

www.AtlantaFestivals.com Facebook.com/AtlantaJazzFestival The 36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is produced by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

Twitter.com/AtlantaJazzFest

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Don't miss being part of the 11th Annual Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12.

Celebrating the historic and eclectic in-town neighborhood of Kirkwood, this family-friendly Festival offers a fun-filled opportunity to enjoy the warmth of spring with a 5K, juried Artist Market, diverse line-up of live music, creative kids' activities and the Tour of Homes.

The weekend will kick-off with a 5K Race on Saturday at 9am in downtown Kirkwood.

Runners will follow the winding path through Kirkwood’s tree-lined streets and finish in Bessie Branham Park. Registration is $25 until May 1; $30 the day of the race. The Festival, scheduled from 10am to 7pm on Saturday includes a Street Market and Children’s Area complete with hands-on activities, moon bounce, games and more. An exceptional lineup of live music from Atlanta favorites featuring country, jazz, funk and rock n’ roll, will be presented on the Mainstage. In addition, local restaurants will set up their food carts to serve a variety of tasty fare, and adult and children’s beverages. The ever-popular Tour of Homes, held on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 from 12pm to 6pm, highlights a distinct selection of building styles from classic Victorian cottages to Craftsman bungalows to modern lofts and everything in between. Participants will meet some of the home’s owners on the tour and learn about the home’s history and creative techniques used in construction and renovation. Admission is $20.

For more information about the Festival visit www.KirkwoodFling.com.

Taste of Alpharetta has become an annual tradition for festivalgoers, families and food connoisseurs for 23 years. Guests can dine in Downtown Alpharetta at over 50 restaurants in one fun night. Sample delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts from the top menus in town. Enjoy culinary demonstrations, activities and entertainment to please every palette.

Admission is free and food samples are $.50 each and restaurants participating in the Taste will charge $1-3 per sample. Play at the Fun Zones and come out and enjoy Alpharetta’s premier dining experience. For more information visit www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Sweetwater Brewery MAY 11 Atlanta Beer Festivals hosts the 2nd Hogs and Hops at SweetWater Brewery on May 11, 6pm-10pm. Enjoy great SweetWater beer and BBQ and other food samples from D.B.A. Barbecue, Moe’s Original BBQ, Fox Brothers BBQ and S&J’s Woodfire Pizza and more.

Live music will be provided by the party band Bedhead. Tickets are $40, $45 after May 2, and $55 day of event.

Ticket prices include all food and SweetWater beer samples. More details and tickets at www.hogsandhopsatlanta.com

Buckhead Arts Festival Chastain Park Buckhead MAY 11 - 12

Now in their 4th year, the Buckhead Arts Festival is a two-day outdoor event with an emphasis on the visual arts. The event is located on Park Drive at beautiful Chastain Park. It boasts 175 artists and artisans, live acoustic music, a professional children's area, delicious local foods and beverages. Admission is free and children and pets are very welcome.

Last year saw 25,000 visitors to the event.

Festival Hours are: Saturday, May 11 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday, May 12 11 am - 6 pm. continued on Page 18

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TICKETMASTER.COM AND AT ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS. TO CHARGE TICKETS BY PHONE, CALL (800) 745-3000.

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3/25/13 PM 17 insiteatlanta.com • April 20131:05 • PG

The Only Thing We Over Look is the Park!

Shrine Circus & Fair

Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta, GA MAY 3 - 12

art, clothing and jewelry. Food vendors will be serving delicious treats ranging from BBQ and soul food to spicy Caribbean dishes and classic burgers. And the family-friendly atmosphere will include two KidZone areas with games, inflatables and fun activities. National and international musicians will perform on two stages for three full days: May 25-27.

Admission to the festival is FREE. More info: www.atlantafestivals.com

JUNE

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The largest Shrine Circus and Fair in North America is back for its 71st year! Packed with more excitement and thrills than ever, this year’s Tarzan Zerbini Circus features several new acts including a magnificent Big Cat Extravaganza, Brian Miser- the Human Fuse, and Simon Arestov, the Comedy Strong Man. The Myers International Midway will add to the fun with several new attractions and amusement rides. Come be entertained and amazed, laugh at the Shriner Clowns, then fill up on all your favorite fair foods- corn dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy, just to name a few. Admission is $10 for Adults and $6 for Children ages 6-11; free for children 36” and under. For more info www.circus2013.com.

East Atlanta Beer Festival East Atlanta Village, Brownwood Park MAY 18

Streets of Virginia-Highland Neighborhood JUNE 1 & 2

The Virginia-Highland Summerfest offers an Artist Market featuring works of over 200 artists and craftsmen from all over the Southeast. The Kidsfest features games, crafts and activities for children of all ages. Live music will be held on stage and will featuring a variety of local musicians along with nationally acclaimed singer songwriters. The Summerfest 5K on Saturday features 1,000 runners winding through the neighborhood streets of VirginiaHighland. Following the 5K Race at 8:45am children aged 5 and under run, waddle or crawl to the finish line of the Tot Trot. Visit www.vahi.org for more information.

Atlanta Fringe Festival

At Locations Downtown and East Atlanta JUNE 5 - 9

The 10th Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival will be held in East Atlanta’s Brownwood Park.

From a great beer selection to early access VIP entry to rocking local music, the EABF is an event not to be missed. Sample over 150 craft beers from across the globe and visit shops and restaurants in East Atlanta Village. Enjoy live local music on the festival's main stage and enjoy a wide array of food. All proceeds benefit community projects. For more info visit www.Eabfonline.com.

The 2nd annual Atlanta Fringe Festival brings adventurous local and national artists together for a four-day celebration of live performances from across the theatrical spectrum. It will feature 25 productions from 10 states. Expect a wide variety of performances from the with everything from dance theatre, spoken word, circus performance, puppetry, comedic monologues, to traditional ensemble theatre. For more information visit www.atlantafringe.org.

Decatur Arts Festival

Atlanta Summer Beer Fest

Decatur's biggest arts event kicks off with the unveiling of the official arts festival poster on May 2 and culminates with the main events on Memorial Day Weekend. Get started Friday evening, May 24, with the ArtWalk all around Decatur. The fun continues with the new dance festival, literary arts performances, musicians all day long on Decatur's community bandstand, a juried artists market, the fine arts exhibition, a special Kids and Teens Arts Festival and more. For additional info visit www.DecaturArtsFestival.org.

The Atlanta Summer Beer Fest returns to the Masquerade Music Park for the fourth consecutive year. Last year, a near sellout crowd enjoyed over 125 different beer choices, great food, great live music, and some fun additional attractions. This year will be even bigger, with more beer, more food choices, and more fun attractions. Tickets will be $35 advance, and $40 after June 13 and $48 the day of the event.

The first 500 tickets will be just $25. For more information visit atlantasummerbeerfest.com.

Decatur Square MAY 25 & 26

Atlanta Jazz Festival Piedmont Park MAY 25 - 27

Celebrating 36 years of musical mastery, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is the perfect way to spend Memorial Day Weekend with family and friends. Audiences will enjoy a wide spectrum of styles from traditional straight-ahead jazz, Latin jazz and swing --- to jazz flavored with neo-soul, hip-hop and R&B. This year’s festival theme is “Generation Next” and features some of todays’ most vibrant and innovative jazz artists including Cécile McLorin Salvant, José James, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ambrose Akinmusire, Gretchen Parlato, Aruán Ortiz, Julie Dexter, Dominick Farinacci and Tia Fuller.

The festival takes place in the heart of midtown Atlanta’s beautiful Piedmont Park. It is conveniently located near numerous hotels and inns.

MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid transit system, is just blocks away. Visitors will enjoy fabulous shopping as they browse through booths of unique PG 18 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Virginia-Highland Summerfest

Masquerade Music Park JUNE 22

OUTDOOR MOVIES O4W Movies After Dark

Historic Fourth Ward Park APRIL 18, 25 & MAY 9,16, 23, 30 The O4W Movies After Dark is a outdoor film series created to highlight and celebrate films written, produced, directed, and starring persons from the African Diaspora. The series is geared towards getting all audiences to appreciate and support films of color and to reinforce a positive message. Screenings will be held Thursday nights April 18 - May 30 except on May 2. In addition to the feature film, each week we will have live music and culinary mobile trucks onsite. For movie schedule visit www.moviesafterdark.net.

Flicks On 5th

Technology Square, 86 Fifth Street WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IN JUNE Flicks on 5th will return this year with an incredible lineup of blockbuster titles. All movies will begin at dusk (approximately 9:00 pm). 5th Street will be closed between Spring Street and Techwood Drive so guests can bring their own blankets and chairs for viewing and dining. Moviegoers can eat in or carry out dinner at any of the many restaurants located on 5th Street at Technology Square. The event is scheduled rain or shine. For more info www.flickson5th.net.

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA

APRIL 13 & 14 - THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS

Variety Playhouse Whether you’re a child or a grown up (OR a childish grown up), who doesn’t like They Might Be Giants?! You probably know TMBG, even if you think that you don’t.

The experimental alternative music group has been around for over 30 years; with hits such as “Istanbul (not Constantinople)” and “Birdhouse in your Soul”. They also have numerous musical appearances on television shows and in films; from Malcom in the Middle to Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. They’re quirky, they’re fun, and they’re cool enough to have albums for kids as well as for “adults”.

Check out their latest album Nanobots, their podcasts, and their new iPhone app.

There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes, so go check out the two Johns and their musical friends for two nights of great music!

APRIL 17 - STEVEN WILSON

Variety Playhouse Steven Wilson is an English musician and producer who is known as the primary driving force of eclectic, psychedelic, ambient, experimental, progressive group, Porcupine Tree. Self-taught, Wilson is a highly sought after producer/musician with a brilliantly smooth and mesmerizing voice. He is prone to creating incredible, hypnotically engag-

ing melody lines and guitar solos. His eclectic tastes in music gives him an incredibly wide range of musical styles and influences to draw from; whether he is re-inventing another artist’s song or creating his own compositions. If you’ve never heard of Steven Wilson, do yourself a favor and discover this electrifying and prolific musician…and if you already know him, you won’t miss this.

APRIL 18 & 19 - TAYLOR SWIFT

Philips Arena Taylor Swift is America’s pop-country darling. Initially gaining notice through her self-titled album and her hit, “Our Song; she has maintained her momentum throughout her next three albums, receiving seven Grammys, along with numerous other awards. She has written much of her own music, plays guitar, uke, and piano. She has plenty of hits that her fans love; from anti-bullying anthem, “Mean”, to “Back to December”, “Love Story”, and the excellent “Safe & Sound” with The Civil Wars. Touring to support her latest release, Red; this marks her most elaborate stage show, with costume changes, fireworks, theatrical backdrops and dramatic staging. Swift is sure to enamor her audience; connecting them to her voice, music, and raw emotions of love and deeply personal life experiences.

APRIL 22 - RIHANNA: DIAMONDS WORLD TOUR

Philips Arena Oh Rihanna, my Ubrella-ella-ella girl, how far you’ve come. Twelve Billboard number ones with seven Grammy awards. Un-

apologetic is her latest album, which seems to engage the audiences perceptions about Rihanna as a pop-superstar and as a victim.

There continues to be raging controversy of her renewed relationship with Chris Brown.

Regardless, their duet, “Nobody’s Business” seems to send a pretty clear message to the listener. Ballads, club hits, and R&B give her many songs that showcase the loveliness of Rihanna’s vocals, her Barbedian influences, and her catchy musical hooks. This is a sexy, savvy R&B pop-superstar that can sing and strut. A soulful voice with a smooth style, this will be an epic concert event.

APRIL 27 - VICTOR WOOTEN

Variety Playhouse Victor Wooten is not only an incredible bass player, he’s also a naturalist, teacher, published author, magician, and acrobat. This founding member of bluegrass/ jazz fusion supergroup, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, has recorded with a wide range of musical artists; from Stanley Clarke, to Dave Matthews, and India Arie. He released the instrumental Sword and the Stone, and the all-female vocal album Words and Tones last year. This year sees a soundtrack accompaniment to his excellent book, The Music Lesson. Widely regarded as one of the greatest bass players of all time, don’t miss this five-time Grammy winner’s searing bass solos, incredible musical proficiency, and fantastic ensemble of musicians.

APRIL 29 - BORIS

The Masquerade Japanese experimental rock trio, Boris, create incredibly disparate genre-hopping music. Named after a song by The Melvins; their influences are as eclectic as the music they play…citing Sleep, Nick Cave, Nick Drake, Venom, and the Melvins in particular. Their style has ranged from sludgy, droney metal, to psychedelic and noise rock, hardcore punk, ambient, shoe

WE GOT NEXT LOOK ALIVE

APRIL 30 - BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB

The Masquerade Black Rebel Motorcycle Club initially made an indie splash with their self-titled B.R.M.C. first album, successfully reviving American garage rock. Five albums later; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have had a difficult three years, dealing with the sadness and loss of bassist/vocalist Robert Levon Been’s father, Michael. Their latest offering, Specter at the Feast, is deeply inspired by their grief and is a fitting tribute to their friend’s father, their mentor and friend.

Come feel the range of human experience through the bluesy, americana, noise, garage rock musical expression of B.R.M.C.

APRIL 30 - CELTIC WOMAN

The Fox Theatre Chloë Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden, and violinist Máiréad Nesbitt combine beautiful voices and Celtic music to create this “Riverdance for the voice”.

Celtic Woman brings together consumate vocalists with unerring harmonies. The ensemble is supported by a spectacular irish fiddler, along with a set of highly talented backing musicians. Celtic Woman features a blended mix of traditional celtic music and reworked modern songs with a celtic lilt twist. This is a continuation of their tour for latest album, Believe. An enchanting and alluring evening of music from the emerald isle.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Sink or Swim/Heisenberg sampler (Self-released) For Fans of: Hot Water Music, Underoath and As Cities Burn Why You Should Care: Because these Atlanta-based DIY upstarts may finally put the Atlanta punk scene on the map.

BY JOHN B. MOORE

S

gaze and j-pop. Be sure to check out their incredible collaborative EP, BXI, with The Cult’s Ian Astbury. Präparat, their most recent full-length album, is a return to sludgy, drone metal that they became known for with their “classic” album Pink. Don’t despair though, far from derivative, their sound has evolved to encompass all other previously explored musical ideas. Original, unique, and not to be missed.

O IT TURNS OUT THAT Facebook actually does have other uses besides being a repository for drunken party pics and a dating service for middle-age suburbanites looking to hook up with old high school flames. If not for Facebook, the guys in Atlanta-based poppunk band Look Alive might never have gotten the band together. After a quick post by guitarist George McMullan seeking like-minded musicians less than a year ago, the band is now a reality, playing gigs and starting work on their debut album.

McMullen spoke with us recently about that

fateful status update, the band’s founding, and trying to fund their recording debut.

So how did the band first come together?

Facebook. I wish we were lying (laughs), but I got the itch to play music again and made a status post asking all of my friends if they’d like to start a new band with me. The response I got was overwhelming. I guess I wasn’t the only one wanting to play music.

Cody Wellons, an acquaintance of mine, was the first person to contact me back. I hadn’t heard from Cody or even seen him since he bought all of my ice hockey gear for $50 a good six years ago. However, I still remembered him being a stand-up guy

and a great guitar player, so it was an easy choice. The next person to contact me was my good friend Jace Key, a.k.a. “Mittens.”

Mittens and I were in a few failed projects together prior to Look Alive. We were actually quite nervous about being in a band together, as if it was a bad omen for us to play in the same band. After getting Cody to play guitar, Mittens to play bass, and having me on guitar, we reached out to Mike Long to play drums. After having all the instruments filled, the only thing we needed was a solid vocalist. We originally planned on having someone else sing for us, but the day they canceled I got a text message from Jacob Causey asking if we needed a vocalist.

We’re so thankful that happened, as Jacob has been a perfect vocalist for us. His voice has an identity to it that gives our band an edge; it’s something different. After about 5 months, Mike Long had to step down from drumming due to personal reasons so the hunt for a new drummer began. After trying out a few guys, we gave Patrick Cash a shot and haven’t looked back since.

A number of you still play in other bands, right?

Yes, currently Mittens is in another band called Pet Cobra, and Jacob does some solo singer/songwriter stuff.

You guys are currently raising money for your debut. How are you doing that?

We are! We actually decided to use IndieGoGo since they offer flexible funding, which allows us to keep a portion of the donations if we don’t meet our project goal.

Let’s face it, $500 is better than $0. Our project is set to raise $1,500, which is only a small portion of our recording fees. We worked very hard to pay for recording out of our own pockets and we covered a huge chunk of the costs ourselves, so we just need a little bit of help from the world to get the rest of it. It also gives our fans, friends, and family an opportunity to donate and get some fun perks back. There’s even a perk that will let a lucky fan come into the studio with us and record gang vocals on our album. So please help us out and donate! (www.indiegogo.com/lookaliveatl) Have you finished writing the music or is it still in the process?

We haven’t, but we’re working on it ohso-diligently! We’re shooting for 5-6 songs, with hopes to get 6 songs done. However we’d really like to write 10+ songs to take into the studio with us and then pick the best-of-the-best out of those. I guess we’ll all find out eventually which ones we end up picking! insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 19

MUSIC

MUSIC

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

The Dean’s List ANDERS & KENDALL – Wild Chorus (Nine Mile Records) Awesome indie-rock duo years in the making

JM: Anders & Kendall may be a new band, but it’s comprised of two music industry vets: Anders Parker, a solo artist and former member of the experimental band Varnaline, and Kendall Meade from Sparklehorse, Mascot and a handful of other groups.

Their debut album is a beautiful (bordering on precious, but thankfully not crossing the line) collection of nearly a dozen mellow, brusheddrum, and melodious folk rock numbers. The traded-off vocals from Parker and Meade, which are occasionally delivered in a near-whisper, are perfectly paired. Songs like the album opener, “We’re on Fire, Babe,” and the rollicking “Let’s Get Lost” show that the band can stretch beyond typical Brooklyn acoustic folk fare and stand out as a truly unique duo.

The two musicians had been talking about recording an album’s worth of songs together for years (Meade has popped up on Parker’s records again and again). But it took more than a decade for it to finally come to fruition. So enjoy Wild Chorus while you can, because you never know when the duo will find the time to get together again.

OTIS REDDING – Lonely & Blue: The Deepest Soul of Otis Redding (Stax) Classic soul that withstands the test of time

BL: Few artists in music history have had so much influence on so many people in such a short time as Otis Redding.

He released just six albums before his untimely death, but you can still hear his church-bred sound in practically every soul singer in the world today.

Redding perfected the art of “sangin’,” wringing every last drop of emotion from every single syllable that emerged from his mouth. This stylistic approach, which famously earned him the nickname “Mr. Pitiful,” is the focus of this excellent new Stax Records compilation.

Opening with the mournful “I Love You More Than Words Can Say” (in which he manages to find a dozen syllables in the word “painful”), the album includes early tracks like “These Arms of Mine” and posthumous hits like “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember.” Collectively, these 12 songs prove that– as producer David Gorman writes in the liner notes– “nobody worries a line like Otis.”

PALMYRA DELRAN – You Are What You Absorb (Apex East) LVS: Although hardly a household name (and thankfully devoid of any sort of American Idolesque hyperbole), garage-rocker Palmyra Delran, PG 20 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

formerly of the Friggs, has a great new release that you need to be aware of and add to your collection of pop nuggets.

Jangling guitars and direct, honest vocals predominate the tracks. It’s easy to see why garagerock-lovin’ fan Little Steven took a liking to the adorable performer. He’s championed her on the Internet and booked her on his live shows. The singersongwriter has obviously absorbed more than her minimum daily requirement of surf, punk and pop, and this album will fit perfectly in your record collection next to the best of The Ramones or The Fleshtones.

If we were living in the ‘80s, Delran would be a staple on MTV’s 120 Minutes. So take a chance and invest a few of your own minutes into this album. Start with the delightful obsession of “You’re My Brian Jones,” and you’ll likely be inclined to stay for the whole set.

Rest of the Class HOME BY HOVERCRAFT – Are We Chameleons? (Self-released) Experimental rock that needs to go back to the lab

JM: The Dallasbased 6-piece Home By Hovercraft is a family affair, comprised of husband and wife duo Seth Magill (vocals/tuba) and Shawn Magill (piano/vocals /xylophone), and Seth’s sister Abbey Magill (step dance). And if they’re listing a dancer as a band member, you get a pretty good idea of what to expect: Somewhat pretentious pop music masquerading as experimental artrock.

The band is described as “theatrically and classically influenced,” but very few artists can pull that off without sounding gimmicky. Despite the offbeat (and somewhat off-puttin)g vocals layered over what are often beautiful piano and violin parts, there is hardly any new musical ground being treaded here.

The National, Beirut and even Roxy Music have all gone down this path before and the results were honestly much better. Experiments, it should be noted, don’t always work out. (C-)

BLEACHED – Ride Your Heart (Dead Oceans) Rising from the ashes

LVS: Risen from the remnants of LA-based punk group Mika Miko, bassist-songwriter Jessica Clavin and her sister Jennifer have crafted a great, intelligent post-punk collection of femalecentric power-pop for their debut as Bleached.

With the proper balance of punky roots and mature songwriting chops, the catchy collection fizzes with an instantly likeable vibe.

Standout tracks here include “Outta My Mind” and “Dead In Your Head.” Sure, you’ve heard it

all before. But, for those of us who enjoy sunny melodies in the tradition of Vacation-era Go-Go’s and Faulty-Product-era Bangles, this is the record of the moment.

Every song has a memorable hook, and the live edition of the band will be performing at The EARL on April 16.

These songs will almost surely come alive with a raw power that the recorded versions only hint at. A great, no-frills debut. (B+)

MEIKO – The Bright Side (Fantasy)

Too many cooks (and too many ingredients) spoil the broth BL: Born and raised in the tiny town of Roberta, Georgia (population: 800), singer-songwriter Meiko grew up with a sense of isolation that served her well on her self-titled 2008 debut. After moving to Southern California at the age of 18, she became immersed in L.A.’ Hotel Café scene, touring alongside leading alt-folkies like Brett Dennen and Ingrid Michaelson.

Released four years after her critically acclaimed debut, this sophomore album is decidedly less introspective and melancholy. Producers Jimmy Messer, Greg Collins and Belgian electro-pop artist Stryofoam surround her once-intimate songs with strings, horns, harmonies and myriad sonic effects, adding a polished sheen that matches Meiko’s more upbeat attitude.

Whether these are positive developments or not is purely subjective. But, to my ears, it seems as if the added gloss takes away some of the potency of her acoustic sound. Check out her solo versions of “I’m In Love” and “Stuck On You” on YouTube, and then decide for yourself. (C+)

PLACEBO – Self-Titled; Without You I’m Nothing; Black Market Music; Sleeping With Ghosts; Meds (EMI) ’90s alt-rockers get a catalogue re-release

JM: Placebo is one of those bands that made rock music more listenable in the ‘90s. Before “alternative” became shorthand for calculated commercialism dressed up in flannel, bands like The Pixies and Placebo churned out one compelling record after another of sometimes abrasive, but always original soundscapes complete with angst-filled lyrics and choruses that stuck in your head.

While many critics focused on the band’s androgynous look, it was their music that ultimately won over converts. Their self-titled debut got a lot of attention when it was released in 1996, but it was on the follow up, Without You I’m Nothing, that the band really began to flex. The opening lines to the opening track of that album laid out a near flawless album (“A friend in need’s a friend indeed/A friend who bleeds is better…”).

The albums that followed each included at least a couple of stellar tracks. By their fourth effort in 2003, Sleeping With Ghosts, Placebo had segued into a harder sound. A drummer change followed, but co-founders Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal remained, and the 2006 release Meds found the band had yet to lose its edge. After putting out a

5-song EP in 2012, the group is prepping another studio album this spring.

EMI recently re-released the group’s first five albums and a singles collection (Once More With Feeling). Let’s be honest: There’s hardly anything decent being released by new artists so far this year, so why not check back in with a sure thing and revisit Placebo’s catalogue? (B+)

ANTHONY DAVID – Love Out Loud (eOne) Atlanta’s finest soulsmith

BL: Though not quite a household name on par with frequent tour-mate India.Arie (for whom he wrote “part of My Life”), Savannah-born singer-songwriter Anthony David has similarly deep roots in Atlanta’s neo-soul scene.

With his 2011 single “4Evermore” reaching the Top 20 on the R&B charts, and a recent Village Voice story naming him one of “Five LesserKnown Soul Men Worth Your Attention,” perhaps 2013 will prove David’s year.

His fifth album marks a bit of a departure: Creatively, he’s spreading his wings quite a bit here. And while the experiments don’t always work (see: the trippy, uneven opener, “Aspiracy Theory”), they’re always intriguing and unfailingly melodic. When he’s in his wheelhouse– as he is on the ol’ school soul of the title track, the Algebra duet on “It’s Official,” and romantic ballad “Sweet Pain”– Anthony David is easily among the finest soul singers in the world. (B)

BLOODKIN – One Long Hustle (Terminus) Perennial underdogs rise again

BL: If there were a dictionary of rock ‘n’ roll history, you’d find a picture of the Athens-based Bloodkin under “Persistence.”

Despite the fact that they’ve never garnered anywhere near the notoriety, critical acclaim or commercial success of hometown peers Widespread Panic or Drive By Truckers, lifelong friends Daniel Hutchens and Eric Carter have been writing, recording and touring together– for better or worse, for richer, but mostly poorer– for the last 25 years.

Along the way, they’ve battled alcoholism, obscurity (they don’t even have a page on Wikipedia!) and their own propensity for giving the music business the middle finger. And yet, as the title of 2009’s Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again suggested, somehow Bloodkin keeps finding ways to emerge from the ashes of irrelevance.

One Long Hustle is arguably Bloodkin’s most ambitious undertaking to date– a 5-CD boxed set containing 88 tracks spanning the band’s entire career. The project began in 2005, when singer/ guitarist Hutchens set up shop in Athens’ Chase Park Transduction with producer David Barbe, wading through over 130 previously unreleased songs.

From the wild-eyed abandon of opening track “Privilege” and the laconic folk-blues of “Can’t Get High” to the more slickly polished “Henry Parsons Diedand the hilariously punk-influenced closer, “Southern Jam 1983,” this is an impressive collection that suggests Bloodkin could’ve been great heirs to the Replacements’ ramshackle barband throne. (A+)

Don’t be left stranded in the rain.

TV

MEET KANDYSE MCCLURE

Battlestar Galactica’s Sexy, South African Sci-Fi Geek

BY JUSTIN PATTERSON

K

ANDYSE MCCLURE BECAME famous in the States through her role as Petty Officer Anastasia “Dee” Dualla in the remake of Battlestar Galactica. A native of South Africa, she moved to Canada as an early teen to escape Apartheid and now splits her time between Vancouver, Los Angeles and South Africa. INsite was privileged to spend time with her talking about life, upcoming projects and what it’s like to be part of a cult phenomenon.

What was Battlestar Galactica like?

It was absolutely a life-changing experience for me. I was a young actress auditioning for a small role, ten lines in front of a camera. Little did I know that it would be the next five years of my life and completely changed the direction of my career. The opportunity to work with Mary McDonnell and Edward James Olmos. Wow. I learned how to be an actress on set, I learned about script analysis. I learned how to be a woman in the industry.

Before the audition, were you familiar with the original show?

Not at all! Growing up in South Africa, we didn’t watch a lot of TV. One of the first shows I watched was Star Trek: The Next Generation and that created in me a real love of sci-fi. I love the fantasy, the idea that there are endless possibilities. For a young girl in South Africa, the opportunity to dream big and think about the wide open spaces of the world and the universe was something really exciting to me. I’ve always been sort of a science nerd, too. Who knew that decades later I would be experiencing that wide new frontier?

South Africa classifies three races: white, black and colored. How do you think your race has impacted your career?

It’s a blessing and a curse. It’s difficult in Hollywood and the casting process is frustrating. At some point they have to describe what it is that they’re looking for. The writers have a vision, the networks want something, the studio wants something else. A lot of the time it does come down to racial classifications. I was sadly used to it, coming from South Africa.

I received much the same reaction: “You’re too white to be black, too black to be white.

You could kind of be Hispanic, but can you do the accent?” That’s why I love the fantasy and sci-fi and horror genres. It’s more about looking fantastic, looking otherworldly. I have Malaysian and Jamaican and Portugese and African and Scottish, all sorts of things coursing through my veins. I happily take the stance of the Everywoman, the global face.

Did you have any idea that BSG would have such a cult following?

I do remember Edward James Olmos saying, very early on, that this was going to be bigger than any of us imagined. He certainly has the experience to be able to know when something is “right” and how the audience would receive it. We were kind of protected, tucked away up there in Vancouver. We were all so focused on the show, the heaviness of the material, the shooting schedule, there wasn’t really much time to think about anything else. There’s no paparazzi, but my mother in convinced that I need to walk around in dark glasses and a scarf because she’s sure people are going to hop out

of the bushes! People do come up to me all sorts of places all over the world. That was the reach of the show!

You’ve a big role coming up in the film Seventh Son and the television show Hemlock Grove.

What can you tell us about those?

I’m a caricature! I get to dress up and be completely outside of myself – it’s very freeing for me. I’m a witch, one of a cadre of witches under Julianne’s leadership. It’s kind of a Wrath of the Titans kind of thing, amazing CGI, incredible sets, amazing costumes. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it turns out because the production value on it was just beautiful, just astronomical. It has something for everyone and I’ll be there, kicking butt.

With Hemlock Grove the basic idea is trying to figure out just who the monster is. We’ve heard references to “Twilight for adults” or Twin Peaks for psychological impact as a thriller. I like the idea that there’s the murder mystery element but that there’s also this question of who the monsters are.

What is there about you as a person that people might want to know?

I’ve always thought of myself as something of a mad scientist, even as a kid. I’d sit in the back yard and try to figure out how to get the smells out of flowers, or if I mixed these two things together and put them in the microwave what would happen? It’s funny that I wound up in the sci-fi genre. In real life I’m someone who likes to grow food and cook it, make a lot of the products that she uses like face cleansers, mouthwashes and burn creams, beauty things that girls like. I’m actually just an elemental, simple-living kind of person. I’m happiest in my garden, barefoot, with something bubbling on my stove. A lot of people think that because I’m in television it’s a very glamorous life but I love a simple life.

Hemlock can be seen April 19 only on Netflix.

Kandyse McClure: Actress, food geek, shoe lover, closet homesteader, 100% South African Womyn. Live Light; Travel Light; Spread the Light; Be the Light. twitter.com/kandysemcclure

I’M HAPPIEST IN MY GARDEN, BAREFOOT, WITH SOMETHING BUBBLING ON MY STOVE.

Sandy Springs: 6500 Roswell Rd NE • Sandy Springs, GA 30328 • (404) 497-0701 Little 5 Points: 1111 Euclid Ave NE • Atlanta, GA 30307 • (404) 658-1988 www.ragorama.com

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VOL. 21, NO. 9 FREE

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Outdoor Music Venue Guide 2013 The Most Anticipated Shows of the Coming Season Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta, Georgia

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

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre also serves as the summer home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Some of the highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: Widespread Panic (April 21); Darius Rucker (May 18); Tony Bennett (May 31); Hank Williams, Jr & Gregg Allman (June 21) and Keith Urban (July 27). For ticket information visit vzwamp.com.

acts for more than thirty years. The venue offers a unique and intimate concert experience. Some of the highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys (May 18); World Classic Rockers featuring original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Toto, Steppenwolf, Journey and Santana (June 8); The Temptations and The Four Tops (June 29); Grand Funk Railroad & Spin Doctors (Aug 10) and Huey Lewis and The News (Aug 23). The Fred is just a short drive from Atlanta. Take I-85 South to exit 61 (Fairburn/Peachtree City). For ticket information visit amphitheater.org.

ASO Classic Chastain

4469 Stella Dr. NW; Chastain Park

Chastain Amphitheatre is one of the great outdoor concert venues in the country. It

Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

201 McIntosh Trail Peachtree City, Georgia

The Fred has established itself as one of the leading outdoor entertainment venues in the metro Atlanta area. It has hosted hometown favorites, national and touring

is an ideal setting to combine dining al fresco with a diverse range of musical talent. Some of the most anticipated performances for the upcoming season include: Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel w/ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (June 5); Joan Baez & Indigo Girls (June 15); Straight No Chaser (June 28) and Anita Baker (July 19). For ticket information visit classicchastain.com.

Train (July 31). For ticket information visit livenation.com.

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

5239 Floyd Rd. Mableton, Georgia

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood 2002 Lakewood Way; Atlanta

Atlanta's largest and premier dedicated concert venue in the Southeast since 1989.

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood was built specifically for popular music, designed to offer a state of the art musical experience for both patrons and performers. Superior sound reproduction, advanced lighting capabilities and clear, unrestricted sightlines make Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood the favorite summer concert site for the avid music fan. Some of their highly anticipated upcoming shows include: The Black Keys (May 2); Brad Paisley (June 23); Pitbull (June 27); Vans Warped Tour (July 25) and

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is metro-Atlanta’s only mid-size, outdoor concert venue with covered, reserved seats. Located in south Cobb County, the publicly-owned facility has the capacity to host 2,400 people for everything from country to rock concerts and from plays to symphony orchestra performances. Come out and experience Atlanta's best kept secret for live concerts. Music so close you can almost touch the stars! In recent years the Mable House has offered a free summer series of Candlelight Concerts. The 2013 schedule was not available by press time but last year included performances

by Milkshake; The Randall Bramblett Band; Blair Crimmons and the Hookers.

Concerts start at 8 PM; gates open at 7 PM. Single tables are available for $50; season tables for $225 (five concerts). For more information visit mablehouse.org.

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES BEGINS! Presented By

Los Lobos

Los Lonely Boys

ON SALE NOW!

May

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2013

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G 201 McIntosh Trail Peachtree City, GA 30269

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World Classic Rockers

Fri: April 26 / Sat: April 27

June

29

Sun: May 5

The River’s 97 Days Of Summer Kick Off Concert

The Temptations ....and The Four Tops

Styx rEO SpEEdWAgON tEd NugENt Fri: May 17

thE AvEtt BrOthErS

Spotlight Concert July 12

Old Crow Medicine Show

Where the Action Is Tour

July The Ultimate Tribute

WidESprEAd pANic

20

Sat: May 18

dAriuS ruckEr

Justin Moore / Jana Kramer

Fri: June 21

hANk WiLLiAmS, Jr. grEgg ALLmAN July 16 / July 17

phiSh Fri: July 26

Last Summer On Earth 2013

BArENAkEd LAdiES BEN FOLdS FivE guStEr Sat: July 27

kEith urBAN

Little Big Town Dustin Lynch

with very special guest

October 8

with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

FuN.

tONy BENNEtt

On Sale

Frida April 2y 6 at 10am!

For the latest concert calendar & venue info, visit VZWAMP.COM

TICKETS 770.631.0630

EvErcLEAr / LivE FiLtEr / SpONgE

Fri: May 31

Jackie Evancho

CALL FOR

Sat: June 1

Summerland Tour 2013

Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets • TICKETMASTER.COM

www.amphitheater.org

PG 22 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Tickets also at the venue box office (M-F: 10am-6pm / Closed Sat & Sun).

FACEBOOK.COM/VERIZONWIRELESSAMPHITHEATRE TWITTER.COM/ VZWAMPHITHEATRE

All artists and schedules subject to change without notice. All tickets subject to service charge. Concerts rain or shine.

CONCERT CALENDAR MONDAY APRIL 1 FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast SMITH’S Tommy Malone VARIETY Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy VINYL Wax TUESDAY APRIL 2 529 Southern Animal Rescue Benefit EDDIE’S ATTIC Charlie Hunter FAT MATT’S JT Speed VINYL Lydia WEDNESDAY APRIL 3 529 Marcus Allen EARL Redd Kross EDDIE’S ATTIC Marcus Foster FAT MATT’S The Hollidays MASQUERADE Lich King PEACHTREE TAVERN The Velcro Pygmies SMITH’S J. Ivy VINYL The Icarius Account THURSDAY APRIL 4 529 Halloween in April COBB ENERGY Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell EARL Ben Trickey EDDIE’S ATTIC Marcus Foster FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Nile SMITH’S The Last Waltz Emsemble VARIETY UK VINYL Afton Showcase FRIDAY APRIL 5 529 Rock Most CENTER STAGE Shockwave CENTENNIAL Zac Brown Band, My Morning Jacket EARL Cadillac Jones EDDIE’S ATTIC Tyrone Wells FAT MATT’S Johnny Scales MASQUERADE Howling Star PEACHTREE TAVERN Cole Swindell SMITH’S Dave Matthews Tribute Band VINYL Kick The Robot SATURDAY APRIL 6 529 Six Shot Revival CENTER STAGE ATL Music Liberty Fest CENTENNIAL Ludacris, Flo Rida, Muse EARL Little Tybee EDDIE’S ATTIC Tyrone Wells FAT MATT’S The Tone Prophets LOFT Tab Benoit MASQUERADE Atomic Boogie PEACHTREE TAVERN Haley & Alexis SMITH’S Torsades VARIETY Abbey Road VINYL Lauren Matthews WILD BILL’S Stonethrow SUNDAY APRIL 7 CENTER STAGE Hoodie Allen CENTENNIAL Sting, Dave Matthews Band EARL Lee Fields & the Expressions EDDIE’S ATTIC Young Artist Showcase SMITH’S Hydralites VINYL Jared MONDAY APRIL 8 529 Resons EARL Chad Valley FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast SMITH’S Atlanta Songwriters Club TUESDAY APRIL 9 529 Splashh CENTER STAGE Mindless Self Indulgence EARL Besides Daniel EDDIE’S ATTIC A Night w/ Rudy Currence FAT MATT’S JT Speed MASQUERADE Parkway Drive WEDNESDAY APRIL 10 529 White Lung EARL Quinton & Miss Pussycat EDDIE’S ATTIC The Black Lillies FAT MATT’S The Hollidays MASQUERADE Frightened Rabbit PEACHTREE TAVERN MissUsed VINYL iStandard Producer Showcase

THURSDAY APRIL 11 529 Hurray For The Riff Raff EARL The A-Bones EDDIE’S ATTIC Lori MeKenna FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE OpossumHoller PEACHTREE TAVERN Octopus Nebula SMITH’S Gary Ray VINYL Schematic FRIDAY APRIL 12 529 Loincloth EARL The Cave Singers EDDIE’S ATTIC Chinua Hawk FAT MATT’S Rumble Fish LOFT Ryan Leslie MASQUERADE Transit PEACHTREE TAVERN Within Reason SMITH’S David Mayfield Parade TABERNACLE Bill Burr VARIETY John Scofield Hollowbody Band VINYL Pac Div SATURDAY APRIL 13 529 Faun And A Pan Flute CENTER STAGE Kollaboration Atlanta 6 EARL Har Mar Superstar EDDIE’S ATTIC Pat McGee FAT MATT’S The Stooge Brothers LOFT Lianne La Havas MASQUERADE We Killed Vegas PEACHTREE TAVERN Justin Godsey SMITH’S Have Gun Will Travel VARIETY They Might Be Giants VINYL Rusted Root WILD BILL’S Dickey Betts & Great Southern

EDDIE’S ATTIC Greencards FAT MATT’S Lady T Sings The Blues MASQUERADE Supervillains PEACHTREE TAVERN DJ MTK PHILIPS Taylor Swift SMITH’S 50 Greatest Soundtrack Songs VARIETY Galactic VINYL The Swear SATURDAY APRIL 20 529 Free Acid #13 EARL Sealions EDDIE’S ATTIC Shannon Whitworth FAT MATT’S The Radio Ramblers GWINNETT ARENA Romeo Santos MASQUERADE Gramatik PEACHTREE TAVERN Dank Sinatra SMITH’S 50 Greatest Break-Up Songs VARIETY Fourplay WILD BILL’S All Green SUNDAY APRIL 21 EARL VietNam EDDIE’S ATTIC Al Stewart FAT MATT’S Fat Back Deluxe LOFT Andrew McMahon MASQUERADE Charles Bradley VINYL Matt Costa MONDAY APRIL 22 529 METZ EARL Snarky Puppy FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE Youngblood Hawke PHILIPS Rihanna SMITH’S Atlanta Songwriters Club

SUNDAY APRIL 14 EARL Beach Fossils EDDIE’S ATTIC Pepperland Music Camp FAT MATT’S Fat Back Deluxe MASQUERADE Atlanta Battle of the Bands SMITH’S Goddamn Gallows TABERNACLE Steel Panther VARIETY They Might Be Giants

TUESDAY APRIL 23 529 Kremlin EARL Snarky Puppy EDDIE’S ATTIC Michael Magno FAT MATT’S JT Speed MASQUERADE Flying Lotus TABERNACLE The Black Crowes VARIETY Renaissance

MONDAY APRIL 15 529 Colleen Green FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast PEACHTREE TAVERN Jimmie’s Chicken Shack SMITH’S Atlanta Songwriters Club VINYL Chappo

WEDNESDAY APRIL 24 529 Saude EARL Born Ruffians EDDIE’S ATTIC Steve Moakler FAT MATT’S The Hollidays MASQUERADE The M Machine PEACHTREE TAVERN Plato Jones SMITH’S The Parlotones TABERNACLE Sevendust

TUESDAY APRIL 16 529 Hellgoat EARL Bleached EDDIE’S ATTIC GT Glee Club FAT MATT’S JT Speed MASQUERADE Kottonmouth Kings

THURSDAY APRIL 25 EARL Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires EDDIE’S ATTIC Joe Pug FAT MATT’S Chickenshack LOFT The English Beat SMITH’S Pokey LaFarge VINYL Comrade Blue FRIDAY APRIL 26 529 Atlanta Mess-Around EARL Atlanta Mess-Around EDDIE’S ATTIC Bobby Yang FAT MATT’S Beverly Watkins LOFT 500 Songs For Kids MASQUERADE Laura Stevenson PEACHTREE TAVERN Heavy Mojo SMITH’S Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown VARIETY Yacht Rock VINYL Stonethrow SATURDAY APRIL 27 529 Atlanta Mess-Around EARL Atlanta Mess-Around EDDIE’S ATTIC Kelly McFarling FAT MATT’S J.P. Blues GWINNETT ARENA Barry Manilow LOFT 500 Songs For Kids MASQUERADE Suicidal Tendencies PEACHTREE TAVERN Best Brothers Band SMITH’S Cigar Stone Indians VARIETY Victor Wooten SUNDAY APRIL 28 EARL Dick Dale EDDIE’S ATTIC Atlanta Symphony Musicians FAT MATT’S Fat Back Deluxe VINYL Afton Showcase WILD BILL’S Pesado MONDAY APRIL 29 EARL Besnard Lakes FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE Chimaira SMITH’S Atlanta Songwriters Club TUESDAY APRIL 30 529 Woodsman EARL Pickwick FAT MATT’S JT Speed

PHILIPS ARENA presents Rihanna (April 22)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 529 Thrones CENTER STAGE Boney James EARL Wovenhand EDDIE’S ATTIC Tori Kelly FAT MATT’S The Hollidays MASQUERADE Stone Sour PEACHTREE TAVERN Culture Sol SMITH’S Rev. Peyton’s Big Band Band TABERNACLE Crystal Castles VARIETY Steven Wilson VINYL The A&R Southern Talent Expo THURSDAY APRIL 18 529 The Left Field Experiment CENTER STAGE Andy Grammer EARL Kenny Howes & the Wow! EDDIE’S ATTIC Milk Carton Kids FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Huoratron PHILIPS Taylor Swift SMITH’S Solar Bears TABERNACLE All Time Low VARIETY Tower of Power VINYL Jade Novah FRIDAY APRIL 19 529 Turf War CENTER STAGE Ben Rector EARL Dead Confederate insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 23

FILM

MEMPHIS BLUES

An Exclusive Interview With Damien Echols of the West Memphis 3

BY BRET LOVE

I

N 1993, TWO TERRIBLE TRAGEDIES occurred in West Memphis, Arkansas: First, three 8-year-old boys were brutally murdered and dumped into a local creek; then three “alternative” teenage boys were falsely accused of the horrible crimes and put in prison for 18 years.

The story behind the vicious murders and the resulting travesty of justice– a modernday witch-hunt that saw Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. railroaded primarily for looking weird and having an interest in the occult– became world renowned after HBO launched a series of documentaries that began with 1996’s Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.

The case attracted interest from celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Henry Rollins and Eddie Vedder. There were myriad websites and defense funds created to help the obviously innocent trio. Ample DNA evidence was uncovered tying the crimes to the stepfather of one of the murdered boys, Terry Hobbs. Eyewitnesses came forward claiming to have seen Hobbs and a friend with the boys less than an hour before they died. Yet still the Arkansas court refused to grant the West Memphis 3 a new trial.

Finally, in 2011, a ridiculous deal was reached that would allow the falsely imprisoned men to walk free while allowing the state of Arkansas to save face and avoid a pricey lawsuit. Using a little-known “Alford Plea,” Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley could admit guilt– essentially freeing Arkansas from liability– in exchange for a get our jail free card. For Damien Echols, who had spent over a decade on Death Row waiting to be executed for a crime he did not commit, it was literally a lifesaver.

Now, with help from filmmaker Peter Jackson and his partner, Fran Walsh, Echols and his wife Lorri (whom he met while in prison and who worked tirelessly to set him free) have released a new documentary, West Of Memphis. The incredible film mounts an inarguable case that not only proves the West Memphis 3 were innocent, but suggests there is ample evidence to convict Terry Hobbs if and when he is ever brought to trial. Yet still Arkansas refuses to grant a new trial.

As a long-time follower of the case, I was thrilled to get a 1-on-1 interview with Echols,

PG 24 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

JUSTICE IS ALWAYS GOING TO TAKE A BACK SEAT. FOR THEM, WE WERE A SPECTACLE. WE DIDN’T FIT IN.

in which we frankly discussed everything from his mental and spiritual evolution in prison to what his case says about the failings of America’s criminal justice system.

It’s been said that you were convicted because of Stephen King books and Metallica T-shirts. What does it say about America and our justice system that the way a defendant looks is often more important than the evidence?

From the time we’re born, we have this idea forced down our throats that in America you’re innocent until proven guilty. The reality is that that is not true. People think that the judge, prosecutor, and Attorney General have these jobs because they’re somehow moral or defending the public. But it’s not true. They have these jobs because they’re politicians.

Just like any other politician, their #1 priority is to win the next election. They’re going to do everything and anything they can to make sure that happens. Justice is always going to take a back seat. For them, we were a spectacle. We didn’t fit in. We looked strange in this hardcore fundamentalist community that we came from. We made a really easy target. In the end, that’s what it comes down to… all of it is politics.

What helped to get you through this experience and not come out a raving madman?

A lot of it is that these people have taken almost 20 years of my life away, and I don’t want to voluntarily give them anymore. If I focused on what they put me through, I would be pissed off. I choose not to focus on those things. There is too much in the world I want to experience and immerse myself in to keep constantly looking back at that. The first 2-3 years I was in prison, from the moment my eyes would open in the morning I was pissed. Your very first thoughts are, “They have no right to do this to me! I should not be here in the first place!” Not only are you going through this external hell, but you’ve also got an internal hell heaped on top of it, which is a million times worse. I realized that I had to do something to get rid of that, because it will just eat you alive in there. That’s what led me to meditation.

How would you describe your spiritual evolution over the past 18 years?

First, it was the internal anger that I knew I had to find some way to deal with, because it was making me miserable. I needed something I could put into practice on a day-to-day basis that was going to help me through, not an idea or a philosophy. I needed something tangible.

That’s what led me to meditation. Eventually I received ordination in the same tradition of Japanese Buddhism they used to train the samurai in ancient Japan. There’s almost no medical care and no dental care on Death Row. They’re not going to spend a lot of money on someone they plan on killing.

There were times when I would get so sick that I literally thought I was going to

die before the night was out. The only thing I had to help me get through those times of sickness and pain was the meditation. I started expanding from Zen meditation to the realm of energy work, like Reiki and chi gung (qigong). By the time I got out of prison, I was doing 5-7 hours of meditation a day.

They say something in the movie about this being the first crowd-sourced investigation ever. Can you talk to me about being in isolation, but feeling this love and desire for justice from thousands of people around the world?

It was weird for me to even try to imagine.

When I went to prison, I hadn’t seen a computer since 1986. I had never seen the Internet or anything like that. Over the years, people started putting together supporter sites that I never even saw. I would call home every day and talk to Lorri. She’d tell me that this person is doing this or that, but it seemed like it was another world a million miles away.

As soon as I hung up the phone, I had to go right back to trying to survive another day in prison. So it was something that existed on some level in my mind, but it was a very distant thing.

How would you describe the impact Lorri has had on your life?

I would be dead right now if it weren’t for her. She ended up quitting her job to work full-time on this case. There were times when she took out personal loans just to pay my legal fees. One time, we were getting ready to file an appeal called the Habeas: You have one year to do it, and if you don’t then they just execute you. We had an incompetent attorney who wasn’t really interested in the case, and I had six months before I was going to be executed. We had to fire him, and she started working day and night, doing everything she could to get an attorney who could educate himself/herself on 15 years worth of case study and file that appeal before I was going to be executed.

Your life story is incredible, dating back to your struggles with family and mental Continued on page 25

Continued from page 24

health problems before the West Memphis murders. To think what your life could’ve been without all these things coming together, it almost seems like Divine Intervention…

Whenever I look back, I can see a chain through this whole thing. If you took away one single link in that chain, I would be dead right now. It started when HBO came in, and Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger made that first Paradise Lost movie. The next link is the WM3.org guys, who put together the websites. The next link is Lorri. Then you’ve got Johnny Depp, Eddie Vedder and Peter Jackson [offering to help]. If you took away one single link in that chain, I would be dead.

How did you and Peter Jackson get connected, and when did you come up with the idea that you wanted to dig deeper into this story with West of Memphis?

We actually started doing our movie before Paradise Lost 3 filming started. It had been about 10 years since Paradise Lost 2 had come out, and there wasn’t a lot of media attention on the case. It started when Lorri got an email [from Jackson and his partner, Fran Walsh] and a donation for the defense fund. They said, “If there’s anything we can do from down here in New Zealand, contact us.” So Lorri did, and Peter, Fran and Lorri became the core of my legal team. It’s not like they just threw money at it: They were elbow deep in this case, actually working on it. After we started getting DNA testing results, Peter and Fran got a new investigator. The man who the DNA at the crime scene was from said he’d never seen the victims that day.

But they found 3 eyewitnesses that saw him with the victims within an hour of when they were murdered. We start collecting this hard evidence, and we had to present it to the same judge that sentenced me to death. He said, “I don’t care. I don’t want to hear this. In my mind, this case is over.” He refused to even let us be heard in court. At that point, Peter says, “Let’s do what we do best and get it on film.” The whole point of West of Memphis is that you’re watching the case we would’ve presented in court. We worked on it for 2-3 years before I got out, thinking that at least we can get the word out to the public of what they’re doing.

You’re still dealing with the difficulty of clearing your name. How hard is it to STILL not be able to put this to rest?

It’s incredibly difficult, because you’ve always got it hanging over your head. For us, it’s not over. Life has been a constant struggle since I got out. I walked out those doors and didn’t have a penny in my pocket.

I didn’t have a suit of clothes to change into.

We’ve basically been running for the past year

and a half, trying to establish some sort of foundation that we can build a life on and, at the same time, still having to fight this case.

According to the state of Arkansas, it’s over.

So everything that’s being done right now, we have to do ourselves. There’s nothing I would love more than to put this behind me and move on with my life. But, until we get the case re-opened; until me, Jessie and Jason are exonerated; until the person that belongs in prison is in prison; and until the people who did this to us are held responsible for what they did, it won’t have a sense of closure.

$1 DRAFTS

ALL DAY, EVERYDAY

Is it painful to have gone through all this and yet know that the real killer is walking the streets?

Yes, it is. The reason why I never say, “Terry Hobbs did it,” is because I shouldn’t have to name the person. The whole reason we were railroaded the way we were is because there was no evidence in our case. We’re now collecting hard physical evidence and eyewitnesses, yet we can’t even get the state of Arkansas to call a Grand Jury. The evidence should be allowed to speak for itself.

What do you think needs to happen in order for people like you to get a fair fight?

You’ve got to take the politics out of it.

The judge, the Attorney General and the prosecutor… all of these people are elected officials. Their number one priority is politics.

You have to take the politics out of it or nothing is going to change.

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It’s obvious how very much you’ve lost from this experience. Was there anything positive you gained from it?

I honestly do not know. I think the number one thing that deepens us as human beings and takes us to a new level of evolution is pain. We don’t like to experience pain.

We avoid it at all costs. But it develops our ability to empathize with people more. In this situation, the one thing we all had in spades was pain. Me, Jason, Jessie, Lorri, all the families… we had pain by the bucketful.

Though it’s not something we enjoyed, I guess the answer to your question is the personal growth that came out of it. It’s the first noble truth of Buddhism: Life is pain and suffering.

Talk to me about your plans going forward.

Lorri and I are working on a book together that will include a lot of our correspondence from when I was in prison. We have 5,000 letters that we wrote back and forth to each other over the years. Eventually I’d like to have a small meditation center here in Salem, Massachusetts, where I could share with people the things that helped me through hard times while I was in prison. The ability to give that to other people who feel like they don’t have anything to help them through… that is what I’m really passionate about.

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insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 25

MUSIC

THE COMEBACK KID

With a Hit Show, Hosting the Grammys & a New Album, LL Cool J is Back on Top

BY ALEX S. MORRISON

way back when and appreciate it. MCs that are only about the competition, and the personification of the capitalist businessman that’s been promoted in the music, have changed the priorities. In hiphop, it’s cooler for people to think you’re rich and have an OK record than to have a great record and no money. From an artistic standpoint, the culture has suffered because of it. It’s a shame that you don’t see more of these upcoming guys touring with more seasoned guys. Some people see hip-hop as an art form, and some see it as a scam and a way out. Those that see it as a way out, they feel like they’re doing you a favor if they’re hot and you’re just a legend.

H

IP-HOP HAS NOT BEEN KIND to its legends. While the rock world shows perennial support for innovators like The Who, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney, rap music’s early icons are essentially put out to pasture, forced to turn to acting (see: Ice Cube, Ice-T) or other enterprises if they want to stay afloat.

James Todd Smith, better known as LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), has been in the rap game for nearly 30 years now.

His 1985 debut album, Radio, boasted two hit singles (“I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells”), was one of the first hip-hop albums ever to go platinum, and essentially put Def Jam Records on the What were your thoughts on the music business when you finished your last CD map. Over the years he’s amassed dozens for Def Jam in 2008? of hits, from the slamming “Mama Said That was the beginning of the huge Knock You Out” and party jams like “Doin’ downturn in record sales. I was one of It” to signature romantic tracks like “I the first guys that got Need Love.” caught up in this new But a room full of thing. It went from selling platinum records wasn’t 1-3 million copies of enough to save LL from the every album to doing a music industry downturn. decent first week and After releasing Exit 13, his Who: then tapering off. It 13th album for Def Jam, in LL COOL J made me want to take a 2008, the rap icon was let break, pull back a little bit WITH ICE CUBE, go from the only record and try something else.

PUBLIC ENEMY, AND label he’d ever worked That’s why I decided to with. Frustrated with the DE LA SOUL do some television and shifting winds of the music When: other things to challenge business, he shifted his TUESDAY, JUNE 4 myself, to make sure focus to acting, taking a my artistic sensibilities 7:30PM lead role as Special Agent were where I felt they Sam Hanna on the CBS hit Where: needed to be. I felt like NCIS: Los Angeles.

FOX THEATRE I accomplished what I Now, after a 5-year How wanted to accomplish break, LL returns with a FOXATLTIX.COM in terms of taking on a new album, Authentic; a new challenge by doing new label, S-BRO Music NCIS: Los Angeles, and Group; and a renewed seeing that success could be achieved enthusiasm for music perhaps best through creativity. exhibited by his fiery Grammy Awards performance with Chuck D, Tom Morello, Is there anything you learned through the Travis Barker and Z-Trip. The selfstorytelling techniques of TV and movies proclaimed G.O.A.T. gave us a half hour that has impacted your songwriting? of his time to discuss hip-hop, the music Life impacts your songwriting. Between business and whether or not we can, in fact, birth and death, you have myriad call it a comeback. experiences. Some of these experiences shape your thoughts and creative How has the music industry changed in expression, and some of them pass the 30 years you’ve been doing this? through you, never to be seen again. I There have been so many ebbs, flows love expressing myself, and all of this stuff and fluctuations– peaks and valleys in the comes from the soul. When I walk into a music business– with regards to hip-hop. scene, I’m expressing my soul and infusing At first it was a novelty that no one took the words with my spirit, not just being a seriously. Then it became really popular, parrot or a puppet. The break gave me time but underappreciated critically. And to see what was going on with the music then it turned the corner: People started embracing it and it became more respected, industry. I wasn’t interested in running around looking for a record deal. It truly and then it moved into becoming pop has become a business. It’s really different music. Now, I don’t think people take from Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons and hip-hop as seriously as they used to 15-20 myself sitting in a room and talking about years ago. music. There are some people out here who really, love music that are creative Why does hip-hop not revere its elders powerhouses, like Ken Ehrlich (Executive the way you see the rock world revering Producer of the Grammys). But you’ve got classic icons? to do it for the joy of doing it. I want to I think it’s a cultural issue. It’s the nature love what I do, feel good and make great of what hip-hop is about– the theme music. And that’s what I’m doing now. about competition– whereas rock ‘n’ roll, even though they are competitive, is Tell me about the genesis behind your about musicianship. It seems to me, as an new album. outsider looking in, that a lot of the rock I felt like I’d laid back long enough. All guys are a little bit more about the craft. of the bruised blood had washed out of my You’ll find in hip-hop that those that are system. All of the drama and cynicism was about the craft revere what was going on

KINGS OF THE MIC TOUR

PG 26 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

LIFE IMPACTS YOUR SONGWRITING. BETWEEN BIRTH AND DEATH, YOU HAVE MYRIAD EXPERIENCES. SOME OF THESE EXPERIENCES SHAPE YOUR THOUGHTS AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION, AND SOME OF THEM PASS THROUGH YOU, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. gone. I didn’t want to make a record and be angry at the industry. Don’t be bitter; get better! So I cleared my mind and decided to make some music. I made a zillion songs, and I’m still tinkering with the album.

Ultimately, if we’re going to leave footprints on the planet, you‘ve got to create from your heart. I wasn’t hearing a lot of hiphop that gave me goosebumps or left me jumping out of my feet. From a creative standpoint, I felt like some of the stuff I was hearing was like the Wizard of Oz: You could pull back the curtain and there would be this little guy with a drum machine. I didn’t feel threatened. When I first started out, every time someone dropped a record it was threatening. Like when I first heard [Public Enemy’s] “My Uzi Weighs A Ton,” I was like, “Damn!”

Tell me about re-teaming with your production team, the Track Masters.

You’ve been working together for 17 years.

What was it like when you got back into the studio together for the first time?

I trust them musically and creatively. I trust that they understand parts of what I like to do musically. There are parts of what I do that are better served by other producers, but there are parts of what I do that they do extremely well. We went into the studio and had a ball. We took a couple of weeks and banged out a million songs.

What do you hope that this record will convey to the true hip-hop fans that have

been following you throughout your career?

There’s only one thing: I just want them to be entertained. That’s all. Just enjoy it. If I create something that people enjoy– that they can play in cars, on headphones, on systems in their living rooms– then I’ve done my job.

What’s your plan going forward? Are you getting back into touring for this album?

I have a lot of ideas, and we’re definitely talking about touring this summer. I want to do a real cool, fun tour, especially in this current environment. I want to get out there and play my classic records, and then give them 3-5 songs they’ve never heard before. Although I’m getting some support on radio, [the business] is so different now. In order for people to hear my music, I have to make sure it’s online and on YouTube, and I’ve got to get out and play it so they can understand the vision behind it. With music, sometimes you have to experience it. You can’t just listen to it.

You’ve got to feel that passion and aura. I can’t wait.

What do you foresee for the future as far as the acting career?

I’m having a great time on the show.

Doing NCIS: Los Angeles is a lot of fun.

It’s a great challenge for me to blaze a new trail in a new area of entertainment. So I’m going to keep doing it for as long as people are enjoying it and it feels right.

MUSIC

BACK IN BLACK

Atlanta Metal Legends Sevendust Return With Their 9th Album, Black Out The Sun

BY BRET LOVE

B

EFORE O’BROTHER, BARONESS OR MASTODON, it was Atlanta’s Sevendust who put Georgia on the hardrock/heavy metal map.

Originally formed under a different name in 1994, the core membership (vocalist Lajon Witherspoon, guitarists Clint Lowery and John Connolly, bassist Vince Hornsby and drummer Morgan Rose) has changed only once in the last 19 years: Lowery left in 2004 to form the band Dark New Day with his brother, Corey, only to return four years later.

That doesn’t mean the band hasn’t weathered its fair share of difficulties, including early resistance to their soulful approach to metal, lack of support from record labels, bankruptcy and sheer exhaustion from a relentless touring schedule. But Sevendust continues to persevere: They recently released their 9th LP, Black Out The Sun, on their own 7Bros. Records (via Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group). And they’re currently on a nationwide co-headlining tour with Coal Chamber.

We recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Witherspoon and Lowery to discuss the evolution of Atlanta’s rock/metal scene, Sevendust’s longevity, and what they’ve learned from nearly two decades of ups and downs in the music business.

You guys have been around nearly 20 years. Can you talk about Atlanta’s hard rock/metal scene in the early ‘90s?

CLINT LOWERY: It was a very different landscape. Everyone was doing shows together and helping promote each other. There wasn’t any social media, so it was completely by word-of-mouth.

Back then, it was unified because you had to lean on each other.

Every generation, it seems like there’s one band that pioneers this new sound, and a lot of other bands form their versions of it.

Bands like Korn were starting to open up doors. It seemed like Follow For Now, Stuck Mojo & you guys brought a soulfulness into the scene that was very representative of the Georgia’s musical history. LAJON WITHERSPOON: You just named one of my favorite bands in the world, with one of my favorite

singers– Follow For Now and David Ryan Harris. I can’t believe you even put us in the same bracket! It was an incredible time to grow up in Atlanta. I felt like it definitely was a movement.

Was there any resistance to this unique blend of styles?

LAJON: Our family and friends embraced it, but I don’t think the radio did at first. It was a long process. We hit the road and didn’t turn around. But it was really cool to come home and hear ourselves on the radio station and get that respect. It was an honor to be from Atlanta.

What does it take for a band to last 20 years and not want to kill each other?

CLINT: This band was put together based on friendship.

We’ve all been in bands where one or two guys were always difficult, or had an ego issue. Obviously we wanted people who could play and were skilled at their craft. But the primary thing was, is this person cool to hang out with? It served us well. We live in a metal tube– a tour bus– and we have for a long time.

We’re all weird in different ways, and it’s just about learning each other’s personalities, staying out of the way when it’s time to stay out of the way, and being assertive when it’s time to put your boundaries up. Ultimately, it’s about loving and respecting each other.

During the years without Clint, Sevendust went through some rough times, dealing with label issues and bankruptcy. What did you learn as a band from those struggles?

LAJON: We learned how to take charge and really start taking care of our business. That’s what’s happening now, and things just keep looking up and up. When we were young, we didn’t really care about anything but getting out on the road. That was our dream– to stay away from the house for a year. We didn’t have families then. Now we’re not only artists, but we’ve learned how to be more business-minded in the music business.

It’s been 3 years since your last album. After 15 years of

relentless recording and touring, was there a strategy behind taking time off?

LAJON: It was just time for us to take a break, and thank the Lord we did. We were able to work on different side-projects and then go back in and be focused. We worked together like a band at the beginning, like when we started as kids. We didn’t have any material. We went in and just jammed on a new song every day, and we finished the record in a month. It was a beautiful experience.

What were you hoping to accomplish with the new record? How does it progress your sound?

CLINT: The goal was to capture the initial spirit of when we first started. I thinking having a little time off helped us achieve that. The record has an old school feel to it. We produced it ourselves, and we arranged and wrote all the songs in the studio. It was a really cool experience, just on a friendship level.

Musically, I think it represented the friendship that we have and the original sound we started out with.

What are your plans for the future?

CLINT: Our plan is to take this album through a typical yearlong cycle that it takes us to tour around a few times. That’s the concentration right now. Lajon has talked about doing a solo thing, which I think will be healthy. I think we’ll all go and do our own individual things, and after a while we’ll do another Sevendust record.

KING PONG

Snuff Frontman Duncan Redmonds on the Return of the UK Punk Legends

BY JOHN B. MOORE

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GING PUNK BANDS OCCASIONALLY get sidetracked by day jobs, families, and other side-projects. But the good ones– the ones that can still draw a crowd and bring along a whole new generation of fans– always seem to find their way back to the stage and/or recording studio.

In the case of UK greats Snuff, thankfully they’ve managed to find their way back to both places, with a brand new full-length just released and some summer festival dates lined up later this year. It’s been almost a decade since we last had a complete album of new studio tracks from these often eclectic, always brilliant punk-rockers, but schedules have finally cleared up enough to allow the lads to get together once more to record their latest 5-4-3-2-1-Perhaps?

Singer/drummer Duncan Redmonds recently put down the ping-pong paddle (sorry, table tennis paddle) long enough to answer some questions via e-mail. Enjoy!

What have you guys been up to between the last album and this one?

Since the last album the chaps have been busy with jobs, family and music. My family has grown to a very noisy four kids-house and I’ve been constantly busy with music. I’ve been working on various solo projects, “Bubble and Squeak” where I collaborated with friends I’d met through playing with Snuff, also Billy no mates, where I’ve recorded four albums and played live with bands made of local musicians around the world. I have done two covers albums as “Duncan’s Divas,” doing a mixture of Japanese and western covers of female artists.

Since 2007, I started doing acoustic gigs and have recorded a bunch of songs: I have a weird techno thing called Bonzer and a folk/punk/nonsense band called 5 Shitty Fingers where I play fiddle badly. I’ve also started doing sing-along gigs as Barry’s Band, because everyone loves a singsong!

Not to mention drumming in the Toy Dolls since 2006, and recently recording a new album with them. Music, music, music… and table tennis.

Did the band break up, or did you always intend to write and record a new record?

We never properly split. It just got to a point in 2004 where we had to take a break. That break stretched to four years. Really, we came back to do it for fun; we never really had any long-term goals. We did work on new songs and, in 2011, recorded again for the first time in seven years– first with Japanese artist Tamurapan on one of her songs, then a tour EP for Japan with four new originals and four covers. We were planning to re-record the originals for release as an EP, but at the last

moment it filled up to an album, so we were happily surprised.

possible, put vocals on after, then mixed in a few days. Bosh!

Are there any new members in the band for this outing?

In 2008 we got back together with the 1997 lineup– a 5-piece with me, Loz, Lee Erinmez, Lee Murphy and David Redmonds on trombone. Sadly, Dave had to bail out in early 2011, and we’ve got new boy, Oli, in since then. We have recorded some songs with Lee Murphy on second guitar, and also one song from the album was Lee E. on drums, Lee M. on bass, Loz on guitar and me on (vocals). We do this live, so it has moved on a bit.

Since you started touring again after that Fest appearance, have you noticed a new generation of fans?

We started touring again in 2008, but it is always part-time, never full-time these days.

So we don’t get to play everywhere we want to. Yes, there are plenty of middle-aged, grey, tubby, non-voluntary skinheads at gigs these days, but also plenty of new young faces coming through. Some of them are babies we knew decades ago. That is always the most shocking: You remember that baby? Well, here he is and he needs an XL t-shirt, please!

When you were working on this new record, were there any doubts that it might not be as great as it turned out to be?

To be honest we didn’t think that deeply about anything other than trying to make it as good as possible. We recorded the album with money from a Japanese tour, and never really expected it to have a proper release. It was just for us. With the way things are on the industry side, you have to expect to lose money on a recording. The fact that CR Japan and Fat Wreck Chords picked it up was a lovely bonus.

How easy was the writing and recording process for this one? Did you have a lot of pent up songs ready to go, or were you starting from scratch?

The recording process was easy for this album, and a joy. We all had a few ideas, put in plenty of time on sofa rehearsals, rehearsed the songs up loud. We recorded them as live as

What’s next for the band?

Schedules don’t allow us to get back to Snuff fulltime, but we plan to carry on as is, doing gigs and recording where we can. We have a few festivals lined up for the summer, and will get some other gigs in if we can. We plan to record another EP– we have a few new songs already on the go, and are planning sofa bashes and rehearsals as we speak.

Who knows? Maybe it will grow into an album. In fact, I’m off to Loz’s for some mini-pong and some work on the “Bra’ Bob” song now. Oi! Oi! Well, that’s all the questions I have. Want to add anything?

The only other thing I have to say is to throw down a table tennis challenge: If you want us to come to your town, you will have an advantage if you try to lure us in with a table tennis tournament… at which Team Snuff will destroy you.

Just saying! insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 27

MUSIC

GREAT SCOT!

Singer-songwriter Matt Costa Went to Scotland & Came Back With One of the Finest Albums of His Career

BY JOHN B. MOORE

C

ALIFORNIA-BASED SINGERsongwriter Matt Costa has been one extremely busy guy of late. Since signing to Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label back in 2006, the guy has put out a half-dozen releases, the most recent being his self-titled effort released in February.

Recorded in Scotland with long-time Belle & Sebastian producer Tony Doogan, the full-length album is teeming with talented collaborators, including (appropriately enough) three members from Belle & Sebastian. Originally intended to be a fairly sparse, stripped-down affair, the LP is ironically one of Costa’s most expansive records, complete with strings and wind instrument arrangements.

Despite being booked solid in March with tour dates across the West coast, Costa took a few moments out of his busy schedule recently to talk about the new record, working with Doogan, and why he’ll be heading back to Scotland soon.

What can you tell me about the songs on this new record?

The songs on this record are about loving people, losing people and being alive at 30.

What was it like to work with Tony Doogan over in Scotland?

Working with Tony was great. He introduced me to a bunch of Glaswegian musicians.

as though it would let the songs speak for themselves.

Were you listening to anything in particular while writing this one that had an influence on the record?

I was listening to a lot of [famed Spaghetti Western soundtrack composer] Ennio Morricone leading up to the recording of this record.

You had some great guests on this THE SONGS ON This record is pretty expansive, but I record, didn’t you? Can you talk THIS RECORD read that you had originally intended about who sat in? it to be stripped down. What changed?

Well, I was very lucky, because ARE ABOUT written a lot of songs over Tony has so many friends around LOVING PEOPLE, theI had past two-and-a-half years. Once town. I had Stevie Jackson, Bob LOSING PEOPLE I started digging through them, I fell Kildae and Chris Geddes from AND BEING in love with some of the older ones. I Belle & Sebastian, and Stu Kidd ALIVE AT 30. figured it was time to give them what from The Wellgreen playing on they deserved. most of the tunes. My longtime friend and collaborator Danny Garcia sat in on What’s next for you? a bunch of songs, and then when we got back I’ll be strolling down the highway, helping my to L.A. my friend Joachim Cooder (Ry Cooder’s son) added some percussion to “Silver Sea.” I also friend Danny Garcia with his Reverend Baron project and then heading back to Scotland to got spoiled with a great wind and string section work on some more tunes. as well.

This is your fourth full-length, but the first one with no title. Was that a conscious decision?

Yes, it was a conscious decision, as I felt

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

Nope. Thank you for your time.

SKINNY LISTER

On the Band’s Success while Drinking and Touring with Flogging Molly

BY JOHN B. MOORE

L

ONDON’S SKINNY LISTER SEEM to have more than a little in common with their most recent tour mates Flogging Molly. Both bands play a brilliant blend of punk rock and traditional folk music, both play under oddly named monikers and both have turned in a remarkably fantastic collection of songs (Flogging Molly most recently with 2011’s Speed of Darkness and Skinny Lister with the justreleased Forge & Flagon).

Songs like the infectiously cheerful “Rollin’ Over” and “Wild As the Wind” and the more somber, but equally compelling “Peregrine Fly” and “Kite Song,” compete for favorites on an album brimming with great tracks. Signed to SideOneDummy Records here thanks to an impromptu parking lot audition, the band is finishing up their latest trek across the U.S. as part of Flogging Molly’s Green 17 tour.

Co-vocalist and ukulele player Lorna Thomas spoke recently about the band, the true origin of the band’s name and how a night of drinking with Flogging Molly can lead to a chipped tooth.

Can we start out by talking about how the band first got together?

Max (Thomas, melodian and mandolin) Dan (Heptinstall, acoustic guitar and stomp) and Sam ‘the Mule’ Brace (electric guitar and concertina) had been playing traditional music in folk sessions and pubs in London for a while when they started to blend it with original stuff.

Being Max’s sister I demanded that I get involved too, then Michael Camino joined us this year to add a percussive standup bass slap style. We started having great fun when we took to stages at festivals across the UK and then it’s just grown from there.

How did you end up connecting with Joe Sib and the folks at SideOneDummy?

Ha! A funny story really. We decided to play an open mic night at a pub on 6th street in Austin during SXSW and were spotted by a friend of Joe’s. He put SideOneDummy on to us and we ended up playing to Joe and the crew a few weeks later in their parking lot. They were all really cool and we got on with them from the off. We’re so excited to be working with such a great label.

They have a real positive energy.

How did you come to the band’s sound? Did it evolve over time?

There’s a mix of sounds on the album as we have the slower delicate songs but also the more masculine songs recorded with lots of male vocals and foot stomps. The more we play live I think the more we sharpen up this side, singing with more attack and attitude. Sometimes I feel the stage is like a battle ground and we punch out the songs with clout until the crowd gets involved.

Do you all share similar musical influences?

I’d say so. I mean we all listen to a very varied selection of artists from traditional, to pop and rock. If it’s good we all appreciate it. It’s very rare for us to fight over what we’re listening to when

PG 28 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

spending copious hours on the road. Mine and Max’s dad, George Thomas (aka Party George) has always enjoyed performing so he’s definitely a big influence us. In fact he wrote “Forty Pound Wedding” which features on the album. If he’s about, he’ll join us on stage too!

What can you tell me about the songs on the new album?

Softer songs such as “Peregrine Fly” and “Colours,” written by Dan Heptinstall, have been influenced by a folk artist from Fife in Scotland called James Yorkston, whilst “Rollin Over,” “If the Gaff Don’t Let Us Down” and “Trawler Man” all have something of the folk club spirit about them. Dan actually wrote “Trawler Man” in memory of his friend’s dad who died in a Trawler accident at sea. Mule has been belting out “John Kanaka” after a few pints for years. It’s a highlight at a gig when everyone joins in. It would be an outrage if that wasn’t captured on the album. In fact the engineer brought out a bottle of whiskey especially for that one! We really wanted to make sure that the recording sounded as live as possible so all the songs were played live...then guest musicians added. For example, Kathryn Tickell, recently crowned “Folk Musician of the Year” by the UK Folk Awards recorded Northumbrian pipes and fiddle on “If The Gaff Don’t Let Us Down” and Roger Wilson, a family friend and fiddle extraordinaire put fiddle down on other tracks too.

Are you ready for the Flogging Molly tour?

We’re almost half way through the tour now and having the best time ever. We were a little anxious at first as its always a little nerve racking when opening up for such a great band, but so far, the crowd response has been incredible. The guys from Flogging Molly are great too. We’ve stayed up late exchanging traditional tunes at pubs afterwards. In fact, I woke up with a chipped tooth after a night drinking Guinness and tequila with them. Good fun!

Have you read any good myths online yet about the origin of the band’s name?

Aside from the ones the boys have fun with no, not yet...though I have been told a new one which is that a chap called Lister got lost at sea and his body was never found. The actual true reason is not nearly exciting or poignant. Dan went to school with a boy called Steven Lister who was very thin. He got the nickname and for some reason we all liked it. Stephen has only recently found out that he has a band named after him. God only knows what he thinks of that!

What’s next for the band?

We are coming back for another round of SXSW, anxious to make sure it is as productive as last year. We’re also very excited to say that we’re playing Coachella. We have some European Festivals and tours lined up and really want to get back in the studio to record the next album.

We’ve been performing some of the new tracks on this tour and they have been going down really well.

SPORTS

2013 MLB PREVIEW

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

W

HEN YOU THINK OF MAJOR League consistency, the Atlanta Braves sit at (or near) the top of most people’s minds. They think Bobby Cox. They think Chipper Jones. They think John Schuerholz. Locals think all of that, too, only their recollections are compounded with one glaring stat—12-23. That’s the Braves’ winloss record in the postseason since 2000. In fact, the once-steady club’s managed just one playoff series win in the last 12 seasons, and that came in the National League Division Series vs. Houston back in 2001. But all of that changes this year. With great young pitching (Kris Medlen), a gifted outfield (Justin and B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward) and a get-it-done-now team attitude, Atlanta will not only make its first World Series since 1999, but it will finally show the consistency needed to bring the trophy home to a titlestarved city.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 1. ATLANTA Though it’ll take some time to adequately fill Chipper’s spot at third —Sorry, we’re not completely sold on Juan Francisco— the front-office did a great job clogging his spot in the order. The Uptons could combine for 55 HRs and 180 RBI.

2. WASHINGTON The potential many saw in this team was finally realized last year with an NLDS appearance. To go even further in ’13, Bryce Harper will need to be bigger, Jayson Werth needs to be better and Stephen Strasburg needs to pitch well into September.

3. ST. LOUIS The first season without Albert Pujols wasn’t nearly as bad as diamond doomsdayers had envisioned. The second one will be even brighter if the underrated Allen Craig and underappreciated Carlos Beltran keep swinging the bat so well.

4. SAN FRANCISCO At press time, the defending champion Giants and its star catcher Buster Posey were reportedly discussing a 10-year megadeal. We just hope there’s money left over for a search party to locate the old Tim Lincecum.

5. PHILADELPHIA The aging Phillies brought in some new parts (Michael Young, Delmon Young), but the only way this team will make the postseason is if Ryan Howard’s Achilles and Roy Halladay’s shoulder are fully healed.

6. LA DODGERS Back in the 70s there was an LA-based medical drama called Emergency! The 21st century follow-up is currently being shot in the Dodgers locker room. If Carl Crawford, Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp don’t look like their old selves by June, this big-budgeted show could be cancelled.

7. MILWAUKEE While the batting order is fully loaded (Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez, Rickie Weeks), the pitching rotation —well, aside from Yovani Gallardo— tosses a bunch of blanks.

8. CINCINNATI The Reds thought about moving flamethrower Aroldis Chapman from the bullpen to the starting rotation, but wisely decided against. After allowing the San

Francisco Giants to come back from a 0-2 NLDS deficit, their energy needs to be on closing out postseason series.

9. PITTSBURGH Okay, so Andrew McCutchen is the truth.

But honestly, it’s going to take a lot more than his .327 average and 31 dingers to get the Pirates their first winning season in 20 years.

Here that, Starling Marte and Garrett Jones?

10. ARIZONA The names on the D-backs’ jerseys aren’t terribly sexy (Paul Goldschmidt, Martin Prado, Jason Kubel), but they get the job done. Besides, if they’re in the NL West hunt around Labor Day, they’ll have the sports media eating out of their hands.

11. COLORADO By the time the injury bug made its way all the way up to Denver, it must have been famished because it stung nearly the entire team. Even if Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer are 100% though, it won’t matter because the pitching rotation has no bite.

12. SAN DIEGO When a 70-win season is considered a goal, there are some serious issues within an organization. But whatever you do, don’t look at the left side of the infield (shortstop Everth Cabrera and third baseman Chase Headley) for any shortcomings; it’s pretty spectacular.

13. NY METS We’re still scratching our heads over two things: 1) The Mets traded away their clear No. 1 pitcher and 2012 Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey; 2) Citi Field still has the audacity to charge over $100 for seats to watch this team of misfits.

14. MIAMI But if you thought the Mets were throwing away their season in April, the Marlins probably tossed theirs aside back in November. Beyond the sensational Giancarlo Stanton (.290, 37 HRs in just 123 games), there’s nothing to see here.

15. CHICAGO CUBS And if you thought the Marlins were…well, you already know the rest about the Cubbies.

No hitting. Below-average arms. No chance at coming remotely close to their first World Series appearance in 60-plus seasons.

NL Championship: Atlanta over Washington, 4-3

AMERICAN LEAGUE 1. LA ANGELS World Series titles aren’t won on paper, but top spots in INsite’s season preview sure are.

With names like Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in the batting order and C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver on the hill, it would be foolish to bet on another subpar finish in Anaheim.

2. DETROIT The game’s best all-around hitter (Miguel Cabrera) and pitcher (Justin Verlander) almost did enough to get a ring last year.

Almost. To shake off the blow of the Giants’ World Series sweep, they’ve got to get more help from Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez.

3. TORONTO For the first time in ages, the biggest sports buzz out of Ontario isn’t the NHL Maple

Leafs. With capable players like Dickey, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle joining guys like Jose Bautista on the Blue Jays, this should be the year the squad soars over the Yanks and BoSox in the AL East.

4. TEXAS Even with Hamilton’s westward defection, there still appears to be life left in the Rangers. Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre can hit. New arrivals Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynski have had their moments, too. A wild card run is not out the picture.

5. BALTIMORE Impressive Orioles like Adam Jones (32 HRs, 82 RBI) and Matt Wieters (23 HRs, 83 RBI) just keep getting better and better. The same can be said for the gutsy club overall that went from 93 losses in ’11 to 93 wins in ’12.

6. NY YANKEES Even great closer Mariano Rivera, who’s playing the final season of his Hall of Fame career, can’t save this group from Father Time. Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira all start the year with aches. It’ll be amazing if NY finishes the year without at least one on the DL.

7. OAKLAND Was 2012’s surprise AL West run just a oneyear wonder, or was it merely these Athletics’ first step to relevance? When you see budding star Yoenis Cespedes (.292, 23 HRs) at the plate, you lean towards the latter. But when you look at the mound and see so much inexperience, you’re not so sure.

8. CHICAGO WHITE SOX During Cactus League action this spring, we watched Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko smash three long ones in a game. The potential for middle-of-the-order fireworks are there for the summer. Unfortunately, when you look at some of the other roster holes, you realize fizzle capability also exists.

9. BOSTON Though the days of dominance are long over at Fenway Park, there remains enough power (David Ortiz), pitching (Clay Buchholz, Ryan Dempster) and potential (Will Middlebrooks) to keep summer exciting in New England.

10. CLEVELAND We love the additions to the Indians’ dugout (manager Terry Francona) and outfield (Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn), but none of it will matter if Ubaldo Jimenez can’t subtract last year’s nightmare (9-17, 5.40 ERA) from his head and return to being the guy who pitched a no-hitter in 2010.

11. KANSAS CITY Averaging just 70 wins the past five campaigns, the Royals have been the laughingstock of the AL for a loooong time.

Tired of being the butt of jokes, GM Dayton Moore got serious and brought in aces James Shields, Wade Davis and Ervin Santana. Don’t look now, but KC might be OK.

12. TAMPA How the Rays managed 90 wins a year ago is beyond us. We know the pitching (AL Cy Young winner David Price went 20-5) is astounding, but the yawner of a batting order won’t be able to generate runs for 162 games.

13. SEATTLE Back in February, “King” Felix Hernandez signed a seven-year, $175 million deal, ensuring he stay the face of the Mariners’ kingdom. Couple that news with a roster of serviceable sluggers (Raul Ibanez, Michael Morse) and the M’s shouldn’t play jester in the AL West much longer.

14. MINNESOTA The Killer J’s —Joe Mauer, Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau— still have some pop in their bats. But any way you spell it, the transitioning Twins just don’t have the firepower to keep up with the Tigers and Sox in the AL Central.

15. HOUSTON The Astros have a new logo, new uniform, new manager (Bo Porter) and new home (AL West). It’s just too bad that ownership decided against doing anything about the old, tired roster.

AL Championship: Detroit over L.A. Angels, 4 to 2

World Series: Atlanta over Detroit, 4 to 3

MIKE TROUT

JUAN FRANCISCO

insiteatlanta.com • April 2013 • PG 29

COLUMN

SPORTS

FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS By the time you read this, the 2013 NCAA Tournament champ will probably be heading back to campus with the trophy. Though the KENTUCKY WILDCATS were non-factors this year, they’re already putting their name in the hat for the ’14 crown by amassing the most impressive freshman class in basketball history. With six McDonald’s AllAmericans heading to Lexington next year, including the sensational Julius Randle, things are looking bright in the Bluegrass State. “If you are a big-time player,” Randle told Sports Illustrated, “you aren’t worried about other big-time players being there. Actually, you should want to compete against big-time players every day.”

“They’re looking at this and saying, ‘Time has passed, he’s winning again. It’s time to turn up the volume on our association.’ But it’s risky when you associate with a celebrity only based on winning or losing. Consumers care about how you play the game: both the actual game and the game of life.” –Landor Associates’ managing director Allen Adamson, on Nike’s controversial new “Winning Takes Care of Everything” promo in support of TIGER WOODS

While we’re as gassed as the next guy over the NBA PLAYOFFS’ April 20 start, we know there’s

VIDIOTS UPCOMING DVD RELEASESAND REVIEWS

BY BRET LOVE, JOHN MOORE AND LEE VALENTINE SMITH

CABARET 40TH ANNIVERSARY BLU RAY For the 40th anniversary of Bob Fossee’s groundbreaking classic, Warner has issued a lovingly restored print and informative book.

The performances remain as vital as ever: Liza Minnelli transcends the great Kander & Ebb songs with wild-eyed abandon, Joel Grey is the delightfully vicious emcee, and Michael York is the dashing paramour. Together, the trio made this one of the best films of the early ‘70s, and a landmark movie musical.

The extras alone are worth the price, with a rarely-seen “Making Of” documentary and rare production photos, making this the film’s ultimate edition.

HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE There are many sad aspects to this starkly beautiful documentary about the early stages of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. But it’s also refreshing to see how much more compassionate we’ve become over the last 30 years. The Oscar-nominated film follows a group of gays and lesbians shocked at watching their friends die from this mysterious disease, only to have politicians either show indifference or spew vile homophobia (see: Jessie Helms). Ultimately, they formed ACT UP to bring attention to the disease and pressure the government and pharmaceutical companies to start treating it like a crisis. With recent reports of AIDS being cured in several child patients, the film couldn’t be more timely.

PLANET OCEAN/ IMAX TO THE ARCTIC Though available for purchase separately, these two excellent documentaries bookend PG 30 • April 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

still some important regular-season action left to be played. In fact, these five games are all mustsee TV: 5) New York at Chicago, April 11, 8pm, TNT; 4) Oklahoma City at Indianapolis, April 5, 8pm, ESPN; 3) LA Lakers at LA Clippers, April 7, 3:30pm, ABC; 2) San Antonio at Oklahoma City, April 4, 9:30pm, TNT; 1) Boston at Miami, April 12, 7:30pm, Tiger NBA TV.

Woods

With all the moving and shaking with NFL FREE AGENCY, a football fan could get a throbbing headache. It’s a good thing then that the folks at NFL.com put together a list of the five strongest and weakest rosters. The weakest: 1) Jacksonville; 2) Oakland; 3) New York Jets; 4) Buffalo; 5) San Diego. And the strongest: 1) Seattle; 2) Denver; 3) San Francisco; 4) Atlanta; 5) New England.

And finally…

In case the Miami Heat’s ridiculous winning streak got you to wondering, the longest streak in boy’s high school basketball history is 207, held

by Fredericton High School (NJ) between 2006 and 2012… Tiger Woods’ eight career wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational amount to $7,319,360 in earnings… Rafael Nadal is an impressive 17-1 in matches after his seven-month layoff… UFC superstar Georges St-Pierre will star in the 2014 blockbuster Captain America: The Winter Soldier as villain Batroc the Leaper.

one another in highlighting the fragility and beauty of Earth’s natural wonders. Planet Ocean, narrated by Josh Duhamel, features sensational underwater cinematography and focuses on the inextricable bond that ties human life to the health of the oceans. To The Arctic, which was made by the award-winning director of Everest and narrated by Meryl Streep, tells a compelling story about the struggle for survival of a mother polar bear and her 7-month-old twin cubs in the harsh climate of the Arctic. Both films are entertaining and essential: a must-watch for anyone who loves nature and wildlife.

STORAGE WARS: VOLUME FOUR This wildly successful reality show starts to show some signs of stress in its fourth season. Show regular Dave Hester (a.k.a. the asshole) was arguing with the network about his contract, so he’s missing from most of this season as they try out various replacements (none of whom are as interesting as Hester). This season they also started to experiment with horribly obvious product placement. But, all faults aside, it still remains one of the most oddly funny reality TV shows on right now, thanks in no small part to the other series regulars.

VEEP: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON It’s not surprising that HBO’s Veep is heavy on DC insider jokes, since it was created by the team behind the brilliantly funny film In the Loop. Thankfully, at a time when politicians’ approval ratings are in the toilet, the show found a big enough audience to earn a second season.

The story centers on Julia Louis-Dreyfus as VP, quickly realizing she holds zero power in a city that thrives on power. Her inner circle is filled out by Tony Hale (Arrested Development), Anna Chlumsky (My Girl) and Matt Walsh (Man Bites Dog), which makes for one of the funniest supporting casts in recent sitcom history. In fact, the only thing funnier would be a comedy built around Joe Biden.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

BY B. LOVE

from cascadedesigns.com) are awesome, waterproof options. The lightweight BCB PRIL MEANS TWO THINGS– Pack is eco-friendly, made of a PVC-free the end of winter and the start urethane, with a roll-down dry seal closure of Spring Break! If you’re like us, for ultimate protection from these two factors send you QUICK POD DSLR/POV POLE the elements. They come scrambling for the nearest in 3 sizes, including a 35L beach… or, in our case, the daypack or 70L and 115L furthest (we just returned backpacks, with side-cinch from a 10-day trip to Tahiti). buckles making the latter Here are a few products that two more comfy on hikes. made our time in/on the Hummingbird’s 40L zip is water more enjoyable: better suited for air travel, Our favorite new toy is pool or gym: The 3-point the QUICK POD DSLR/ carrying system doesn’t sit AQUAPAC POV EXTENSION POLE quite as well on long hikes. (quickpod.com). Billed as But the rugged vinyl exterior the world’s #1 monopod for and waterproof zipper are GoPro cameras, we put this definitely built to last longanodized aluminum wonder term. to the test while scuba diving After getting Scuba-certified and snorkeling in Tahiti, last year, diving has become and it delivered in spades! a big focus of our travels.

Extending from 18” to 53” and Having our own gear has weighing just 9 oz, the pole JULBO made exploring the deep blue allowed us to get incredible sea MUCH more enjoyable. close-up video footage of At around $40-$50, the tiger sharks, stingrays, moral Hyperfluid Set from Speedo eels and an octopus without (speedousa.com) is a decent putting ourselves in danger. option for beginners, with It’s also great for shooting easily adjustable mask and self-portraits, with a built-in short-blade fins perfect for mirror. This one will definitely travel.

But the narrow fins rub be going EVERYWHERE we go your feet a bit raw, and the SEALINE from now on. snorkel lacks an easy-purge We love taking pictures at element. We preferred the the beach, but have always pricier Look 2 Mask, Zephyr been wary of water splashing Snorkel and Hotshot fins from our expensive camera gear.

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So we really appreciated the com): The mask’s low inner items AQUAPAC (store. volume allows for easy aquapac.net) sent us to try clearing, the snorkel boasts out. Their SLR Camera Case a rotating mouthpiece and is brilliant, allowing us to SUUNTO elliptical purge valve, and the submerge our Canon EOS comfortable fins feature a in water at a fraction of the mid-flex foot joint and power cost you’d pay for a dedicated bands, providing maximum housing. The patented thrust for minimal effort.

Aquaclip seal opens and One of the biggest closes simply with the twist suggestions our dive of 3 levers, locking out water instructor gave us was and sand and floating on to invest in a good dive the surface if you lose your computer. The D6i from EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS grip. But the case is made SUUNTO (suunto.com) of flexible plastic, allowing ranks among the very best for easy adjustment of all you can buy, doing practically controls when snorkeling. everything but checking your Their padded Stormproof SLR o-rings for you. Among its Camera Pouch makes for a many features are a built-in rugged carrying case, with dive planner, tilt-compensated padded sections for cameras 3D digital compass, five and lenses, a zippered pocket modes (air, notrox, gauge, for accessories, and a rollfree and off), full continuous down waterproof seal. It’s decompression algorithm, an the perfect case for any photographer who apnea timer, and detailed graphical logs and kayaks, sails, or simply finds themselves out dive data that can be transferred directly to in the rain during their travels. your PC/Mac using Suunto’s DM4 software.

Cameras aren’t the only expensive things I Best of all? It looks REALLY fricking cool on often wish were able to float. I can’t tell you your wrist! how many pairs of sunglasses my lady and I As much as we love snorkeling and diving, have dropped into lakes and oceans over the sailing and kayaking, spending time on the last few years (including a few prescription water should always involve a little R&R. pairs that ran me over $200). So we’re totally For that, there’s the Double Nest and Atlas digging the new Wave sunglasses from Strap Hammock from EAGLES NEST JULBO (julbousa.com). Whether you’re OUTFITTERS (eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com). into water skiing, kayaking or boating, the Billed as a “all-access pass to relaxation,” polarized lenses provide maximum glare the 20 oz nylon hammock fits into an protection while the removable frame skirt easily-transportable 4” x 5” compression keeps spray from getting in your eyes. And, sack, yet unfolds to become a 9’4” x 6’2” if they somehow manage to get knocked off nest big enough to hold two people. With your face despite the attached headstrap, the the enclosed straps, it sets up quickly and frames float! easily, making it perfectly suited for the If you spend time outdoors and want back yard, camping, or winding down a to keep your crap dry, the Black Canyon lovely day of adventure in some gorgeous Boundary Pack from SEAL LINE and Carry-On Zip from HUMMINGBIRD (both tropical paradise…

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“St. Louis was fourth in baseball last year in attendance, but only 13th in payroll. In other words the Cardinals have money to burn, and it’s time to light the match. So here’s what you do if you’re St. Louis: Whatever [Albert] Pujols reason, you give it to him. What’s XZewants, n 12within 00idea. TheFclosest within reason?

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