INsite Atlanta June 2012

JUNE 2012

www. insiteatlanta .com

VOL. 20, NO. 11 FREE

Grill’n Up!

BURGERS

r e m Sum e d i u G

Interviews KEVIN COSTNER JENNY MCCARTHY DEF LEPPARD HOWARD STERN GRANVILLE AUTOMATIC

W O N

EN P O

!

TitanicAtlanta.com For official Titanic merchandise please visit: thetitanicstore.com

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Adult admission only. Must present to Box Office for redemption. No double discounts. For online purchase use promo code: INSITE. Exp: 6/30/12.

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

CONTENTS • JUNE 2012 • VOLUME 20, NO.11 Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

INTERVIEWS 06 10 11 12 15 21 22 23 26 27 27 28 30

Stars of Community Howard Stern Jenny McCarthy Kevin Costner Stars of Madagascar 3 El-P Def Leppard Mickey Dolenz Granville Automatic Cory Branan Riverboat Gamblers Sierra Leone All Stars Angel McCoughtry

10

July 14 Sat, 8pm | Atlanta Symphony Hall | Don Davis, conductor

11

THE MATRIX LIVE combines the Oscar-winning film with the

FEATURES

full concert sound of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for one

08 09 18 24

You must see it for yourself.

mind-blowing evening. No one can be told what The Matrix is…

Outdoor Guide Burger Guide Summer Concert Preview Summer Guide

COLUMNS 04 05 06 07 13 16 17 19 19 20 30 31

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

404.733.5000 | aso.org

800.745.3000

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

ticketmaster.com All Ticketmaster outlets

22

23

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 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #234 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION 404-315-8485 • advertising@insiteatlanta.com Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

© Copyright 2012, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Check out our Summer Guide on page 24!

JUNE 2012

www. insiteatlant a .com

VOL. 20, NO. 11 FREE

Outdoor Adventure Preview

SUMeMER guid

INTERVIEWS

Kevin Costner Jenny McCarthy Def Leppard Howard Stern Granville Automatic

insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 3

Around Town

The High Museum of Art will see its “The Art of Golf” exhibition close this month on June 24. The gallery, organized in conjunction with the National Galleries of Scotland, explores the royal and ancient game as depicted by landscape and portrait artists, photographers and pop artists. For more information, visit high.org.

ALL JUNE

The New Dawn Theater will present “The Sleeping Beauty” through June 17. There will be Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm with Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows starting at 8pm. Tickets are $15 or $12 for seniors and children under 16. Go online to newdawntheatercompany.com for details.

ALL JUNE

The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Gallery will present “Putting Lipstick On A Sculpture” opening on June 8 from 7-9pm.

The exhibition will run through August 24. For more information, call 404-872-5338 or visit www.callanwolde.org.

JUNE 08

Punchline Comedy Club hosts Christopher Titus from June 8-10.

Tickets are $25. Call 404-2525233 or visit punchline.com for more information. Titus has appears in a several comedy specials and briefly started in his own show, “Titus,” on FOX.

JUNE 08

The Take Steps for Cohn’s and Colitis Walk returns to raise funds and raise awareness for these terrible digestive diseases on June 9 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Registration begins at 4pm and the walk at 5pm. To help join this noble cause and the awareness effort, please register today at www.cctakesteps.org/atlanta.

JUNE 09

Theatre/Film/Performance

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History holds it’s “Lost Oasis 2012: 20 Years of Roar” on June 9 at 8pm.

The museum’s Artemis guild of young professionals will host the annual summer fundraising party to celebrate Fernbank’s 20th anniversary. The event will feature a roaring ‘20s theme complete with live music, dancing flappers, specialty cocktails, incredible food and more. For more information, go to fernbankmuseum.org.

JUNE 09

Don’t miss a final opportunity to see the Center for Puppetry Arts presentation of “Cinderella,” wrapping up on June 10. There will be two shows at 1pm and 3pm on the show’s final day. Tickets are $16.50. Visit puppet.org for additional details.

JUNE 10

The Atlanta Braves welcome the New York Yankees for a three-game set on June 11-13. Interleague play is always a unique time for the Braves to matchup against an uncommon opponent.

Don’t miss out. Head to braves.com for pitching matchups and game times.

JUNE 1

The City of Atlanta will hold the Diversity Employment Day Career Fair on June 13 at the Holiday Inn Atlanta Capitol Conference Center (450 Capitol Avenue SE). A large group of city, county and state diversity recruiters will be in attendance. Admission is free. Call 562-409-0056 or visit citycareerfair.com for more information.

JUNE 13

The Center for Puppetry Arts brings a new take on a family favorite on June 14. The Center welcomes “The Little Pirate Mermaid” through July 15. The tale is a swashbuckling, musical twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story.

Go to puppet.org for ticket information.

JUNE 14

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

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

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

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

PG 4 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

Museums/Exhibits/Arts

Music/Comedy/Sports

The High Museum of Art will hold its monthly Friday Jazz event on June 15 at 10pm. Friday Jazz is an evening of art and music on the third Friday of the month, including drawing in the galleries and extended hours with full gallery access and food and drink available for purchase.

Visit high.org for more information.

JUNE 15

Other Stuff

Legendary comedian and serviceable actor Pauly Shore visits Atlanta from June 25-27 at the Punchline Comedy Club. If you haven’t seen “Encino Man,” “Bio-Dome” or “Son In Law,” then we don’t know what else to say. Go to punchline.com for more information.

JUNE 25

The Alliance Theatre will present a play from its Summer Drama Camp tackling the issue of eating disorders on June 15-16. “What’s Eating Katie?” tells the story of a 13-year-old girl dealing with an eating disorder and the family and friends who love her. The tickets are $12.

Visit alliancetheatre.org for more.

Comedian Reese Waters visits the Laughing Skull Lounge from June 28-July 1. Waters was named one of New York’s “Ten Comedians To Watch” in 2009 and has appeared on “Live At Gotham,” “Michael and Michael Have Issues” and has severed as co-host of The Daily Line on Versus. Tickets are $15-$25. Go to laughingskulllounge.com for details.

Party rock group LMFAO comes to Atlanta on June 20 at Philips Arena.

The Sorry for Party Rocking Tour features the Far East Movement, the Quest Crew, Sidney Samson, Eva Simmons and Natalia Kills. Show starts at 7pm. Tickets range from $29-$99.50. Go to philipsarena.com.

The Braves face the ever-popular Chicago Cubs for July 4 at 7:10pm.

Stick around for fireworks as part of the four-game stand with one of the league’s most popular teams. The series from July 2-5 will be last home stand before the AllStar break. Head to braves.com for ticket details.

JUNE 15

JUNE 20

JUNE 28

JULY 04

The Museum of Design Atlanta will present “Skate It or Hang It!?” on June 21 from noon to 5pm.

The legendary Atlanta skater Load will serve as MC for the demos, prize jams and giveaways that will occur throughout the day. This event is held in honor of National Go Skateboarding Day. There is no charge for the event. Brook Run Skate Park is located at 4770 North Peachtree Road in Dunwoody.

JUNE 21

The Fox Theatre will host Grammy winning singer songwriter Norah Jones on June 23. The show kicks off at 8pm with doors opening at 7pm.

Tickets are $48.50 and $60. Got to foxtheatre.org for details.

JUNE 23

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LOCAL

LOCAL EVENTS

On Tap this Month EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM June 2-3: Virginia Avenue

VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND SUMMERFEST

One of the city’s best arts festivals returns this month. Presented by the Virginia-Highland Civic Association presents the Virginia-Highland Summerfest on June 2-3. Located along Virginia Avenue, the 29th festival brings a perfect blend of arts and crafts tents, home tours, and the Dave FM music stage. Bands include School of Rock All Stars, Wesley Cook, Best Brothers Band,, Joshua Fletcher, JK & The Lost Boys, The Fixx and Marc Broussard. Go online to vahi.org/summerfest for more information.

Starting June 6: Tech Square

FLICKS ON 5TH

The 7th Annual Flicks on 5th Summer Film Series kicks off June 6 for four weeks. This free admission summer film series is held on Wednesday nights on the 5th Street Bridge in the heart of Technology Square (Spring Street at 5th Street).

Movies start each week at 7pm for pre-movie entertainment and activities themed around each movie. Films include “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” “The Vow,” “Footloose” and “Happy Feet Two.” Visit flickson5th.net.

Starting June 14: Fox Theatre

COCA-COLA FILM FESTIVAL

A summer classic returns to Midtown starting on June 14.

The Coca-Cola Film Festival kicks off this month with “Casablanca” at 7:30pm (June 14) and “Godfather” at 7:30pm (June 15). Other films include “What To Expect When You’re Expecting,” “The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long,” “The Avengers,” “Princess Bride,” “Deliverance” and “Saturday Morning Cartoons,” a mix of classic Warner Bros. cartoons.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

June 15: Decatur Square

DECATUR BEACH PARTY

Head to downtown Decatur on Friday, June 15 from 5-11pm. for the annual Beach Party. Celebrate the start of summer at the famous Ponce Beach with 60 tons of sand, a kids’ board walk with all kinds of fun games, two live bands, dancing on the plaza, a food court, cold beverages and guaranteed great times for all ages. The Beach Party welcomes headliner Yacht Rock Schooner . Tickets start at $7 in advance and $10 at the gate.

June 23: Masquerade Music Park

SUMMER BEER FEST

It’s time again for one of the best beer festivals of the summer, the Atlanta Summer Beer Fest at the Masquerade Music Park. The festival will have over 150 beers, featuring the local Atlanta Breweries, including, SweetWater, Terrapin, Red Brick, Wild Heaven, Jailhouse, and new comers: Red Hare, Monday Night, Monks Mead, and introducing Eventide. Tickets will be $35 in advance, $45 day of (if available). Visit atlantasummerbeerfest.com.

July 4: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

ASO ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the Fourth of July with an All-American Celebration at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park — the Orchestra’s summer home — on Wednesday, July 4 at 8pm. Guest conductor David Abell, joined by Broadway vocalist and Tony Award winner Debbie Gravitte, will lead the Orchestra and U.S. Army Chorus in a program of patriotic sing- alongs and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Visit vzamp.com for more concert information.

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

Know of a low cost event of happening? Event@AtlantaOnADime.com SIPS IN THE CITYFEST CALLAWAY GARDENS PHOENIX FLIES WING AND ROCK

August, forLANDMARKS” Deals Through Feb. 28, FREE Website “CITYWIDE CELEBRATION LIVING Saturday, June 2, Check (Noon –OF10pm) Various Downtown Restaurants Callaway Gardens March 5-20, Sunday, June Free 3 (Noon – 7pm), Free www.atlantadowntown.com 17800 Hwy VariousUS Landmarks the City Woodstock City 27 Park,Around Woodstock Pine Mountain, Georgia phoenixflies.org www.wingandrockfest.com This summer promotion encourages callawaygardens.com

patrons to experience Downtown Atlanta The Phoenix Flies:event A Celebration Living This seventh year will bring oftogether

on ice! Throughout the heated months of Admission Callaway Gardens is Landmarks wastocreated in 2003 The Atlanta chicken wing restaurants & by classic rock July and August, featured restaurants in the complimentary through the end of this Preservation Center as afor wayantoallcelebrate the cover & tribute bands day FREE Downtown Dining District willinrescue be offering month (Price is $15 for adults, 25th anniversary the dramatic of the outdoor music &ofnormally food festival downtown refreshing cocktails, hipAtlanta’s happy $6.50 per signature child) providing guests with Fox Theatre, an event that changed Woodstock.

The festival will feature wings hours and deals that you won’t want to miss. the opportunity to enjoy time with their preservation outlook forever.

This year, the list from metro Atlanta wing experts as well as Participating restaurants Atlanta family friends reconnecting in for nature. includes free guided tours beverages of include The Fox Theatre, ice coldand beer and other sale.

Grill, Azio Downtown, BLT Steak, Max Free admission includes the Virginia Piedmont Park, Oakland Families with kidsHistoric can check out theCemetery, Kidzone Lager’s, No Mas! Cantina and The Sundial Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day Civil multiple War Atlanta Walking Tullie Smith with inflatables andTour, slides.

Restaurant.

Visit the website for a complete Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Farm House, Margaret Mitchell House, the list deals.

Center, Mr. Cason’s Vegetable newofBeltline Park and much more. Garden, RED BULL SOAPBOX RACE Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Overlook Saturday, June 9, 10am, Free Garden, Discovery Bicycle Trail, Pioneer Piedmont on 10th Street AMERICANPark CRAFT COUNCIL SHOW IN ATLANTA Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial www.redbullsoapboxusa.com March 10-13, Regular admission: $13 Chapel, nature trails and daily programs.

Children under 12: free Back by popular Cobb Galleria Centerdemand, Red Bull Soapbox THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS Race, featuring some Atlanta of the wildest legal street Two Galleria Parkway, Feb. 10around, - 27, Tickets range $15 - $35While racing will be backfrom in Atlanta. craftcouncil.org/Atlanta Turner Green Lotfor its traffic gridlock, on the cityField is renowned 521 Avenue, Atlanta Saturday, 9 the usually clogged of ThisCapitol 3-dayJune event is the largest juried streets fine craft universoulcircus.com Midtown nearsoutheast.

Piedmont The Parkshow will transform Show in the has been

into a bona fidemarketplace drag strip. Approximately 40 the premiere for regional fine teams will compete inUniverSoul thisandnon-motorized craft lovers and The collectors, offersCircus guests continues its racing event,to which encourages participants the chance meet and purchase worksurge from YELLOW JACKET tohuman-powered the toptheofcountry. the live to build outrageous vehicles esteemed artists from around To entertainment ranks designed to thrillcollectors the masses. it’s the FAN reachDAY first-time andAlthough established craft with interactive funky same location 2009 Red Bull Soapbox Saturday, August 6,the 3pm –its6pm, Free collectors alike,asthe newest show category for aUnder traditional Race Atlanta, racersrendition in forField aofwhole new set Bobby Dodd Stadium atHandmade Grant participating artists isare $100.

UniverSoul has of challenges. www.ramblinwreck.com Artists who sell workcircus. for under $100 will have captivated audiences their booths specially marked for patrons around the world RED STRIPE MIDSUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL Festivities at from 3ap.m. on Callaway Plaza interested inbegin starting collection. with brand June (4pmprizes, – 11pm), Freeits unique with15 music, inflatables and games for that blends circus arts, June 16 (Noon – 4-6 11pm), Free the kids.

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

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

SpeedwayFootball players will be 17 position years ago, the audience seated with their 1500 Tara Place, Hampton groups at various will watch infield. amazement stilt Atlanta’s favorite outdoor festival isas back points on the playing Head coach Paul atlantamotorspeedway.com walkers make their way the across aline-up tight and biggerwill than With best4-5 Johnson signever. autographs from p.m. rope, horse riders perform death-defying in MidSummer history the largest food and will be available forand photographs from Visit the track’s Open House for free.

Activities stunts, and contortionists bend into truck gathering in Atlanta, this once one-day 5-6 p.m.

Please limit autographs to ONE include championship legends racing on the incredible and beautiful shapes. festival hasplayer turned a Ring. weekend event. item per orinto coach.

This willdrawings beStart the quarter-mile “Thunder ”, free off the weekend on Friday night from 4p-11p first opportunity to get the 2011 football for big prizes, drive your own car on the track for Truck Hour andNASCAR kick off poster aspurchase well as Happy cards, ticket CHEERSPORT 2011 NATIONAL withthetheFood ofschedule Labor Day the weekend with the sounds of G Love and information and other items throughout the CHEERLEADING & DANCE tickets, fans can select their seats for the Labor Special Sauce, Leftycampus Williams, Neil Cribbs and afternoon.

Most lots race will Day Race Weekend, tour theparking Speedway’s CHAMPIONSHIP more while you enjoy all your guilty food truck be available. control Feb. 18 –tower 20 and suites, take photos with pleasures. the Atlanta Motor Speedway pace car and a $30 for 2-day pass SIMON GAMEPLAY NASCAR Sprint Series winner’s trophy, $20 for 1-day passCup TOUR Saturday, 20gift @ shop 10am,and Free discounts at5 AMS much more.

Kids UnderAugust 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 dance are launched and available in stores. and competition features teams The recently launched Nintendo This 3DS competing from across America. gaming system will take center with year, it expects to grow larger stage than ever a “Nintendo Lounge, ” with couches, with over 9003DS teams participating, from snacksthree and games. also offer ages throughNintendo college. will Cheersport “Street Pass,”bytournament-style play loved using was founded all-star coaches who Nintendo 3DScheerleading devices. GamePlay will competitive and dance. featurethe 10 gaming including 2 mature Check websitepods, for the full competition zones, with products from instrusty leaders schedule.

By Marci Miller 2011 SOUTHEASTERN HUNGER WALK/RUN JAZZ ON THE LAWN 5KFLOWER SHOW Feb. 25 27, Adults in advance) March 13, Noon-4pm, $25($15 for runners 8th ANNUAL BIERFEST June 15 – AugustGERMAN 10,$18 7:30pm

Youth/Student $7, Kids 5 are Freedoor Freeper for person walkers Saturday, August 2 under – 7pm $15 in27, advance, $20 at the Cobb Galleria Centre Parking is free $30 Online, $35 At the Door Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta Turner Field Green Woodruff Park, Atlanta 980 Briarcliff RdDowntown NE,LotAtlanta sehort.org 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta www.germanbierfest.com www.callanwolde.org hungerwalkrun.org Presented by presents the special Southeastern This summer event celebrates the greatness This jazz series outdoor Horticultural Society, this annual premier Join thousands of runners and walkers at of German beer in a family-friendly concerts featuring many of the area’s best gardening event promotes preservation this annual event that benefits the Atlanta environment.

Complete with authentic musicians. Surrounded by the natural beauty and awareness of flowers plants Community Food Bank and five local German food, activities for the kids, music of Callanwolde’s lush grounds, it’sand aother great way through education and artistic expression. nonprofits.

Participants can register as a team and fun, the German Bierfest is not to unwind and enjoy live music performedonly by Show include speakers, juried or individually or register the day in of the only German some ofactivities the authentic finestonline jazz artists in theBierfest Southeast. competition, kids’ activities, Landscape & the event.

There will be activities for all ages Atlanta, but the only family-friendly beer Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy these Discovery Gardens and more. including livethe entertainment & more. festival asgames, well.

For price of Callanwolde admittance, special concerts under the stars.

Gates open at noon, theallwith 5Ktherun & walk begin attendees can drink beer theyhighly can opens its 2012 series Atlanta’s at 2 p.m. safely consume.

Designated drivers are 10th ANNUAL WINE CRAWL acclaimed Latin OAKHURST band Serenata, creating an encouraged and can attend for free.

No one Saturday, Feb. 26, 4 pm-7 pmsound experience. unforgettable, international under the 21 will be permitted to $25 in advance for of Tasting Glass A-TOWN DAYage consume alcohol.

A designated driver $30 day26,ofNoon-8pm, event2012$5 March ROCK-N-RIDE service will also be on site for those who Oakhurst District LakewoodBusiness Saturday, June 23, 2:00pm find themselves in an unsafe condition to oakhurstga.org 2002 starts Lakewood AveConcert SE, Atlanta Entry at $40, is Free drive home.

Peachtree St. Downtown atownday.com

Participants in this year’s event will get www.gradyhealthfoundation.org to sample wines from around theconcert, world A-TOWN DAY is a health festival, PIGS & PEACHES BBQcare FESTIVAL while allofkick the businesses inat the The 2012 event will off Roswell the and a exploring major Awareness celebrating August 26 & 27,day Friday 5pm - in 11pm Oakhurst neighborhood. will be 20 Killer Creek dealership all things Atlanta.

A-TOWN DAY benefits Saturday 10am –Harley-Davidson 10pm, FreeThere participating establishments and the event with more than 1,000 Center, participants.

These the Association of Atlanta and The Ben Diabetes Robertson Community Kennesaw expects sell Killer out quickly.

Bus riders willto leave Creek at The approximately B-Aware Foundation.

This event willFur feature www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches will be on on poetry, hand to transport 2livep.m.

June 23 make their to music, carand show and participants lots ofway family from bar toAtlanta, bar.

Tickets be downtown arriving atnon-sanctioned thepurchased Hard Rock friendly events.

The event features acan from Steinbeck’s Ujoint, Café around 3 p.m.Anything AAle musicHouse, festival then Backyard BBQ, Butt andwill Peach and Karvana Coffee Shop, located in shut down Peachtree to all make roomCity for Dessert Contest, as Street well as a WEEK Kansas INMAN PARK RESTAURANT Oakhurst village. aBarbeque stage28-April located middle ofProfessional downtown Society sanctioned March 3,in$15the

Atlanta’s notable roadway. lineup Contest, which is recognized a Georgia $25 & $35most for three-course meal as The

includes: Drivin’ PANCAKE N’ Cryin’Barbeque , Miss WillieCookoff.

Brown, State Championship IHOP NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION inmanparkrestaurantweek.com

The Lee andwill more.

OverWhiskey $14,000 cashKristy and prizes be Tuesday, March Gentry, 1,in7 am-10 pm, Free Pancakes Proceeds from an onsite boot drive will benefit awarded to contest winners.

Besides food International House of Pancakes Savor historic Inman Park with three-course Grady Foundation and aGold Shield for sale,Health and free music from number of Locations throughout Metro Atlanta dinners from 11 local restaurants.

Proceeds Foundation of Metro Atlanta. local and national acts, festival goers will IHOPPancakeday.com will benefit Project Open Hand, which helps be treated to a large Kid Zone (withchronic many people prevent or better manage

JAZZ ATthrough THE VILLA attractions FREE to families), vendor On this day, customers willunique receive one disease comprehensive nutrition care.

Sunday, June 24 and Sunday booths and sponsor exhibits.

The Silver free short stack (three) of IHOP’s famous $1 raffle tickets will be sold and will go towards July 5:30pm 8:00pm, Wings paratrooper aerial exhibition buttermilk pancakes.

All they askwill is team that the 29, charity.

The– winner ofFree the raffle win Villa Christina returns to the event, and will jump into the patrons consider making a donation to a hosted hor d’ouerves, beer and wine party 4000 Summit Boulevard, Atlanta festival on Saturday, August 27.

Crowds support local children’s hospitals through at Park’s Edge Restaurant for thirty of their www.villachristina.com will be Each treated to Network aPark wonderful display of Children’s Miracle or other friends.

Inman restaurant will local bring aerobatics and patriotic performances in charities.

Since beginning its National tastes from their restaurants for the winner.

Join VillaThere Christina for their family the will be ainlive, huge, fireworks Pancake Day 2006, IHOP The sky. winner willcelebration be also announced atfree, the end of friendly concerts that showcase the hottest grand finale. has raised more than $5.35 million the restaurant week. Check the website fortoa artists and contemporary support in the communities in completeincharities listclassic of participating restaurants. jazz.

Staged outdoors on the grounds of Villa which it operates.

FESTIVAL PEACHTREE LATINO Christina (or in28, the 11am grand–ballroom the case Sunday, August 7:30pm, in Free of rain), audiences will enjoy jazz while sipping Piedmont Park cold beverages and dining on fantastic food, www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com prepared by the award winning staff.

The summer 2012 season Festival Peachtree Latino will hasfeature been two the dates, Sunday, June 24th and Sunday, Julyin29th. largest family & multicultural event the The music with featured violinist, southeast sinceseries 2000.kicks Theyoffhave Ken Ford. 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.

like SEGA, Capcom, 2K and Atari.

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 • June 2012 • PG 5

TV

CLASS DISMISSED?

Community’s Jim Rash and Gillian Jacobs On The Show’s Iffy Future

BY KALENA BOLLER

U

NLESS YOU’VE BEEN HIDING under a rock, you’ve no doubt heard of how hilarious NBC’s Community is. Created by Dan Harmon, the show follows a group of unlikely pals attending Greendale Community College who started as a Spanish study group. Through a series of weekly events, they learn that they have way more in common than they thought. Part of what makes the show so relatable to audiences is the range of characters that are portrayed.

When cast members Jim Rash (who plays the sexually ambiguous Dean of Greendale College with a heart of gold and an infinite costume closet) and Gillian Jacobs (who plays Britta Perry, the 20-something drop out who is out to prove that she is not the ‘worst’) answered questions about the rolling success of the first three seasons and their thoughts on NBC renewing the show for a fourth season, both were unquestionably excited and hopeful.

Jim, congrats on your Best Screenplay Oscar for The Descendant . Is there any costume that we won’t ever see the Dean showing up in?

Jim: I don’t know if there’s a never, because I’ve already worn flesh colored panties, so unless they remove those flesh colored panties

that would be - probably be the only costume left. I don’t think the Dean would ever have any editing when it came to what he wanted to or what I as an actor was asked to wear.

Gillian, could you speak about Britta’s development and growth this season?

Gillian: I just feel really blessed with some really great material that I was given in Season 3 that allowed Britta to further develop and to unleash my awkward dancing on the world. So, I have really enjoyed her growth and evolution and development. I think that this show is not conventional by any stretch of the imagination. The role of traditional love interest really has no place on this show. So of course, we have to subvert it and change it and she has to be awkward and silly and strident at times and deeply flawed. It’s really great to play a multi-dimensional character with shortcomings as strengths, and I’m really grateful that I don’t just pine after Jeff Winger.

Community is notorious for it rabid fan base and the Internet presence. Is there any type of fan response that stands out to you that you’ve especially appreciated or been taken aback by recently?

Jim: In that time that we were off the air for a while, it can’t compare to the outpouring of fans to almost protest for you to come back, from the flash mobs to the

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

DefInItely not BlIss

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goatee and all that stuff.

Gillian: There’s an upcoming gallery show in Los Angles of all the fan art called Six Seasons and Movie that starts on June 23rd. Its totally fan-initiated, fan-driven, and fan-created.

To see them continue to organize in this way in their free time create all this incredible art for us you always feel so flattered. We’ve developed friendships by the Internet with some of these artists so its really exciting that they’re going to get a whole gallery show of their work.

Looking back on this season, what would you say has been your most memorable or favorite moment on the show?

Gillian: I guess it’s kind of a cliché as this point, but my appearance in the Christmas pageant definitely springs to mind when I think of this season. Dancing around in a skin-tight brown unitard, that’s pretty memorable. I felt like Mr. Hankey, the Chrstimas Poo up there. So the combination of embarrassment and adrenaline made it pretty memorable.

Jim: I guess I’m going to call it Dean’s spastic orgasm, that scenes where Jeffrey is back from break with his aviators on. I had to fall to the ground over and over again and it really wasn’t even for different coverage. It just seemed like I was being asked to keep going and basically having my release moment on the floor. That was memorable to shoot because they would keep rolling and I just kept going. So, that was fun.

Is there anything you’d like to see both Dean and Britta do more of in Season 4?

Gillian: I think Britta should probably sing some more. That’s really where the gold is. I’d like to meet Britta’s family. I think that would probably be pretty fun and give some more insight into how Britta ended up the way she is. So, I always think it’s fun when we get to see glimpses of the characters’ families and we got to meet Pierce’s dad this season, and we’ve met Chang’s brother. I’d really love to meet Britta’s family.

Jim: I think for me it’s, and some of it started this season where they sort of explored pairing off certain characters and sort of mining what happens when those two, like whether Jeff and Shirley and sort of started with Britta and Troy a possible relationship. So, I think I would love to see like more of that because it always evolves and changes and finds new things for these characters. Now, as far as the Dean, I mean how can I not want some kind

of forced on Jeff’s, you know character again, or to see his living arrangement. I’d love to see where the Dean lives. Maybe it’s a seedy apartment just above Greendale.

With two showrunners leaving now and Dan Harmon’s role greatly reduced, what do you expect we’re going to see next season?

Jim: We love Neil and Garrett and spent three great years with them, and the natural evolution of these things is that people move on to the next chapter for them. I think what’s wonderful is that Community has always had its voice, its vision, and that started in the very beginning. I think that we want to just continue that. We want that to continue the show that we started, and close out whatever chapter, whenever that may be.

How much of Community is Dan Harmon’s voice and his vision for the show and how much of it has evolved?

Jim: Well, this nugget started in his brain and all of these characters have evolved from that nugget. Obviously that’s where it started and it evolved over a lot of different attributes, which is both his vision, the writers, they pull from us as actors and what we’ve brought to it and the quirks that sort of evolved, and the evolution of those characters from both sides, so it all began there.

You guys had a few episodes of different ways you were animated. What’s it like to see yourself drawn as a cartoon character?

Jim: Well, I think there’s different levels. I mean, going to the fan art there was someone who did us as X-Men and I looked pretty bad ass. And then we had the Webisodes, where I had more of a flatter ass.

Gillian: When some of us went to the studios where they were animating the stopmotion Christmas episode, that was a pretty surreal moment. I’d never seen the process of making a stop-motion animated episode and it was pretty incredible.

Is there anything that you can recommend that fans could do to continue building the fan base and support for the show?

Gillian: If you DVR the show, don’t fast forward through the ads because it sort of disqualifies your viewing on DVR. I’ve been told that our “Troy & Abed In The Morning” mugs are incredibly popular at the NBC Store in New York and they almost can’t keep them in stock. Keep buying them!

Under The Lights

June Theatrical Performances JERSEY BOYS

Thru June 10 The Fox Theatre Ticketmaster (800) 982.2787 www.broadwayinatlanta.com

THE WAFFLE PALACE

Thru June 24 Horizon Theatre Company Box Office (404) 584.7450 www.horizontheatre.com

Flicks on 5th

Outdoor Summer Film Series

Wednesday Nights at TECH Square (5th St. between Spring St. & Techwood Dr.)

June 6 June 13

Following up on the smashing success of their Atlanta debut in 2009, Jersey Boys is ‘Workin’ its way back to you,’ featuring hit songs ‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry.’ ‘Rag Doll’, ‘Oh What a Night,’ and ‘Can’t take My Eyes Off You.’ This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! The actors are spot on as Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. The experience is like going back in time. The three week run at The Fabulous Fox Theatre ends June 10th so see it now before it is gone.

June 20 The award-winning playwrighting duo Larry Larson and Eddie Levi Lee return to Horizon Theatre with the world premiere of their new play The Waffle Palace.

Inspired by real life news stories about Waffle House restaurants, the play follows a Midtown diner owner, his staff, and a hilarious cast of customers as they battle to keep The Waffle Palace open against encroaching real estate developers. The crazy cast of characters in The Waffle Palace include a drag queen, a suburban couple, and a college professor turned garbage man. Though very different, the Waffle Palace regulars form their own sort of community, or as the play emphasizes, a family.

XANADU

C.S LEWIS ON STAGE

www.actors-express.com

www.theatricaloutfit.org

Thru June 16 Actors Express Box Office (404) 607.7469 The surprise hit of the 2007-08 Broadway season roller skates its way into Actor's Express in a frothy explosion of camp, comedy and disco!

Xanadu uproariously sends up Olivia NewtonJohn's notorious 1980 film of the same name, in which a feather-haired Greek muse with an Australian accent descends from Mount Olympus to modern-day California to help a hunky young man open a roller disco.

Never has a movie begged more for parody - and Xanadu the musical delivers with delicious wit, pure fun and classic disco songs that will have you believing in magic and humming all the way home.

June 7 - 10 The Balzer Theatre Box Office (877) 725.8849

June 27

5th Street Rush It’s an evening of suspense, thrills and adventure with

Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocol

(PG-13)

Late Night, Date Night Come celebrate the power of love with

The Vow

(PG-13)

Dancing on 5th Street Grab your dancing shoes and join us on 5th Street for

Footloose

(PG-13)

Family Night It’s a fun night for the whole family featuring

Happy Feet Two

(PG)

FREE ADMISSION

Entertainment starts at 7pm / Movies start at 9pm

flickson5th.net

Movie schedule is subject to change. Please leave umbrellas and pets at home. Event is rain or shine.

Student Center

agave restaurant

an eclectic southwestern eatery & tequila bar . est. 2000

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

C.S. Lewis is best known as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia and numerous other works ranging from fiction to theology. C.S. Lewis On Stage captures the personality and fiction of the man as revealed in his autobiography, letters and other writings. Tom Key stars and also wrote the oneman show and has performed it at Oxford University by invitation of C.S. Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham. The play follows the path that C.S. Lewis took with his friend J.R.R. Tolkien when he was moved to become a theist after years of atheistic philosophy according to Mr. Key.

242 Boulevard S.E. Atlanta . 30312

MAKING POVERTY GLAMOROUS

BUY • SELL • TRADE

2012 Summer Festival

Pre Selected chef’S MenuS & Private rooMS available

June 6 – AuguSt 5

Conant Performing Arts Center Illyria: a Twelfth Night Musical Much Ado About Nothing The Importance of Being Earnest

gashakespeare.org or 404.504.1473

WE’VE MOVED! SANDY SPRINGS

280 HAMMOND DR.

(ACROSS FROM LOWE’S) • (404) CREDITS (left to right, top to bottom): Chris Ensweiler (Bill DeLoach Photography), The cast of The Tempest (Staff Photography), Tess Malis Kincaid and Chris Ensweiler (Bill DeLoach Photography), Carolyn Cook and Brad Sherrill (Jen Hofstetter Photography)

255-5578

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Consistently Voted One Of Atlanta’s Best Restaurants INsite Magazine Best of Atlanta Winner Best Southwestern Cuisine & Best Margarita !! insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 7

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5/30/12 11:43 AM

TRAVEL

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GUIDE Summer Fun On the River or Up in the Trees LAKE LANIER CANOPY TOURS

(678) 622-3990 www.lakelaniercanopytours.com Imagine flying through the air on an exhilarating zip line canopy tour. Explore the forest while experiencing nature up close and personal zipping from tree to tree high up in the tree canopy! Soar through the air effortlessly along Lake Lanier. Check out their new Pine Isle Tour. It is a 3-4 hour tour and features 11 zip lines, multiple spiral staircases, scenic sky bridges, views of the lake from every zip line and dual racing zip lines that are over 1,500 feet long. Their Legacy Tour last about two-hours and includes 7 zip lines with 2 sky-bridges while boasting picturesque views of Lake Lanier. Lake Lanier Canopy also has

other tours including night tours and Full Moon zipping.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE RAFTING

(800) 627-7636 www.raft.com This summer, enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee.

It was the site of the 1996 Olympics and is currently ranked as one of America’s Top Ten Rivers. Their guided six-hour whitewater rafting trips let you experience two sections of some of the finest white water in the nation. Outdoor Adventure Rafting also offers a wide variety of outdoor adventures including rappelling and rock climbing on a natural rock wall. Plus you can take leisurely tubing trips down the Ocoee River which are

LAKE LANIER CANOPY TOURS

more advanced paddler. There is a Waterfall with an avoidable 5 foot drop and a definite thrill. Times vary depending on water and skill levels. All sections are suitable for day trips or for camping trips of up to 4 days.

TREETOP QUEST

(706) 795-3242 www.broadriveroutpost.com The Broad River Outpost rents canoe and kayaks and has free on-site camping. Located in NE Georgia 23 miles from Athens on SR 281, the scenic Broad River has 70 miles of continuous navigable water and beautiful vistas of high bluffs and cliffs. Travel on Class II rapids, suitable for beginners yet fun for the

(770) 904-3547 www.treetopquest.com Zip, crawl, jump, swing, climb in this Treetop Obstacle Course. With more than 70 obstacles, 20 zip lines, 6 different levels, this outdoor adventure will bring you up to 55 feet off the ground! They teach you how to navigate the course, and get challenged for 2.5 hours, at your own pace through five different levels of difficulty. Starting with the easy level 1, make your way up to level 5 where we throw you the challenge to overcome the 15 hardest obstacles. Experience the thrill of landing on a vertical cargo net while swinging 20 feet on a rope at the same time. Treetop Quest is located just two minutes away from the Mall of Georgia. They are open every day 10am-7pm.

BROAD RIVER OUTPOST

TREETOP QUEST

great for the family. O.A.R. also offers a rope course supervised by their trained instructors which are great tests for interpersonal and team building skills. They also have Paint Ball and several games such as Capture the Flag, Last Man Standing and more all under trained supervisors/refs.

BROAD RIVER OUTPOST

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE RAFTING

r An Outdoo Adventure Rafting Company

Zip Line Tours (678) 622-3990 www.lakelaniercanopytours.com 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway • Buford, GA 30518

CROSSFIT BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU KICKBOXING BOXING MUAY THAI MIXED MARTIAL ARTS PG 8 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

• • • • •

• • • • •

Camping Alpine Tower Adventure Race Tubing On Site Cafe

Rafting Paintball Rappelling Rock Climbing Low-High Ropes

423-338-5746 • 1-800-627-7636 • www.raft.com 629 Welcome Valley Rd. • Ocoee, TN 37361

• Rafting • Paintball • Rappelling • Rock Climbing • Low-High Treetop Ropes Obstacle Course

• • • • •

Camping Alpine Tower Adventure Race Tubing On Site Cafe

423-338-5746 • 1-800-627-7636 629904-3547 Welcome Valley Rd. • Ocoee, TN GA 37361 (770) • 2020 Clean Water Dr. - Buford, 30519 www.raft.com www.TREETOPQUEST.com

Taste of the Month-BURGERS! The Vortex Bar & Grill

878 Peachtree Street (404) 875-1667 438 Moreland Ave. (404) 688-1828 thevortexbarandgrill.com

No story about burgers in our city would ever be complete without mentioning the Godfather of all Atlanta burger joints; The Vortex Bar & Grill. They recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a blow-out bash at Red Brick Brewery.

This family run restaurant has earned a reputation for serving Atlanta's best burgers along with an excellent beer and liquor selection. In addition to the great food and spirits, the owner's off-beat sense of humor, no-nonsense attitude and large collection of kooky decor have became hallmarks of The Vortex. Recently after opening their Little 5 Points location, a 20-foot high "Laughing Skull" facade was added to the building (pictured), which has since become an Atlanta landmark. The store front has appeared in music videos, commercials, even a video game, not to mention the thousands of snapshots taken by tourists.

Vortex burgers are made with a half-pound of 100% choice ground sirloin and are grilled to perfection over an open flame. There are over 20 varieties offered, and you can even create your own version with a unique combination of toppings. In the late 1990's the Coronary Bypass Burger made its debut, and was recently featured on the Food Network's "Man vs.

Food." Other popular selections include the Elvis, Spanish Fly and Blue 'Shroom Burgers.

The Vortex has been honored with "Best Burger" awards by many publications over the years.

It's hard not to wonder if the recent explosion of specialty burger restaurants in our city would have happened if it wasn't for the trailblazing efforts of this locally cherished institution.

Gordon Biersch Brewery 848 Peachtree Street (404) 870-0805 3242 Peachtree Road (404) 264-0253 gordonbierschrestaurants.com

Gordon Biersch is known for their traditional German Lagers that are brewed fresh in house and feature a clean, crisp taste that compliments their extensive menu. Both Atlanta locations feature an on-site brewery where Gordon Biersch Brewmasters create their award-winning house beers, as well as limited-time brews that compliment all seasons. Each seasonal beer is celebrated with a tapping party that’s open to the public were patrons are encouraged to sample the latest seasonal beer and menu.

The burgers at Gordon Biersch go hand in hand with their great brews. All of their burgers are made with 10 oz USDA choice beef pattie a half-pound of premium ground sirloin and grilled to order. Choose from the Gordon Biersch signature Cheeseburger, the Marzen Barbecue Burger served with smoked bacon and barbecue sauce and the Mushroom Swiss Burger with sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese. The Kobe Cheeseburger is made from 100% Kobe beef, topped with cheddar cheese and grilled to perfection. The menu offerings are constantly being updated with fresh new items, seasonal creations and daily lunch specials. So come in to either of the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants this summer for a hand crafted brew, outstanding burger and great time!

The Earl

Kid Hungry™ to help end childhood hunger in America. Learn more at www.nokidhungry.com. Ted’s continued commitment to local communities and the environment is also evident in its many eco-friendly practices. Learn more at www.facebook.com/tedsmontanagrill or on Twitter, @TedMontanaGrill.

Twin Peaks Restaurant

3365 Piedmont Road twinpeaksrestaurant.com Twin Peaks Restaurant, the rugged mountain lodge known for its ultimate man cave setting and beautiful Twin Peaks Girls, will open its first Atlanta-area restaurant in Buckhead in early July. Founded in 2005 in the Dallas suburb of Lewisville, the national chain now has more than 20 locations across the nation. The new Twin Peaks will bring fans a sports-themed restaurant that’s busting with high-definition televisions, a bold hunting lodge décor and, of course, the outgoing Twin Peaks Girls.

Twin Peaks’ scratch-made menu features generous, mansized portions of classic American favorites like slow roasted Grilled Meatloaf, butter-brushed Flat Iron Steak, hand-prepared Mozzarella Cheese Sticks and fresh Buffalo wings. The most popular item, however, is the Twin Peaks Cheeseburger.

These classic burgers are cooked to order and served up on buttery challah-inspired buns with caramelized onions, a choice of five cheeses, and fresh veggies like greenleaf lettuce and roma tomatoes. For those looking to get a little more adventurous with their burger, Twin Peaks also offers its special Hangover version, topped with an egg cooked over medium and Texas smoked bacon. The Twin Peaks Girls pour and serve an extensive selection of 29degree draft beer into huge ice-cold, frosted mugs.

The restaurant is now accepting applications for all positions. More information available on Twitter at @TwinPeaksGirl. Twin Peaks Buckhead also has a local Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.con/TwinPeaksBuckhead - ‘like’ it for the latest updates.

Dog Days Hot Dogs

6025 Peachtree Parkway (State 141) (770) 449-7433 www.DogDaysHotDogs.com

The line often extends out the door at Dog Days Hot Dogs located in the Peachtree Plaza Shopping Center at Peachtree Corners. People line-up to get one of their famous dogs and burgers. They offer 22 classic dogs on their menu including: Chicago Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, OTP Dog and Baked Bean Dog. Also try their Polish Sausage and Italian Beef. Their Burgers are made from scratch and grilled to order. They use prime USDA grade beef on their 8oz burgers. Make sure to try one of their famous sides with your burger or dog. Some popular items on the menu include: Chili Cheese Fries, Nacho Potato Chips, Tomales, Mac n Cheese, Chili (made from scratch daily) and homade desserts. Dog Days is open 7 days a week from 11am until 8pm.

They provide plenty of table seating in their two dining rooms. The smaller room is perfect for birthday parties, private events and office meetings and is available for booking.

488 Flat Shoals Rd. (404) 522.3950 badearl.com

Located in the heart of the East Atlanta Village, The Earl is the kind of place you can hang out at all day. It is a great combination of restaurant, bar and concert hall. Featuring an amazing bar menu, moderately priced drinks and a music venue in the back, this is a place that can satisfy just about anyone in your group. Their burgers are well known and have received numerous awards including the EARL Burger, made with 100% Black Angus Beef.

The Guacamole Burger is known for its “cowalicious goodness” and served with guacamole, salsa and cheddar. The Blue Bacon is topped with grilled mushrooms, bacon and blue cheese.

At night anything and everything can be heard on the back stage while the crowd varies with the bands. National acts and the best of the emerging Atlanta music scene grace the Earl nightly to packed crowds. The jukebox in the restaurant has one of the most eclectic group of albums in town. Bar regulars love to wash Earl burgers down with their PBR tall boys.

The open front offers cafe’ seating with a great view of the East Atlanta scene. With a casual atmosphere and eclectic mix of patrons, you can’t go wrong with a visit to The Earl.

Ted’s Montana Grill

12 Atlanta Locations tedsmontanagrill.com

Since 2002, Ted’s Montana Grill has been taking guests back to a simpler time with its early 20th century charm and fresh made-from-scratch meals. Ten years later, with 44 restaurants in 16 states, the Atlanta-based company, co-founded by media entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner (chairman) and George McKerrow (CEO), continues these traditions and remains committed to authentic food, genuine hospitality and giving back.

From traditional comfort food to special signature dishes, Ted’s unique menu, featuring bison as its specialty, includes steaks, meatloaf, pot roast, crab cakes, salt-and-pepper trout, cedar plank salmon and more than a dozen gourmet Certified Angus® beef and bison burgers. A favorite among guests, Ted’s award-winning burgers are ground fresh inhouse each day, cooked to order and served with a side of fresh-cut french fries.

To celebrate Ted’s 10th anniversary, the restaurants are now offering the new No. 10 Burger, featuring sweet and spicy pickles, lettuce, tomato, a zesty burger sauce and cheese. As part of their anniversary milestone, Ted’s Montana Grill has also pledged to raise $150,000 for Share Our Strength’s No insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 9

TV

HOWARD’S GOT TALENT

The King of All Media Takes On One of TV’s Biggest Reality Shows

BY BRET LOVE

In your radio career, with every new show HE LAST TIME I INTERVIEWED you took over, the ratings went up. What Howard Stern, it was 1997, the are your goals and expectations for AGT? biopic Private Parts was just about That’s a good question. Every time I went to be released, and he seemed like a radio on the radio, I would take the crummiest rebel hell-bent on proving that he truly radio station and I would go on there and was the “King of All Media.” Now, 15 years build up the ratings. This situation is very later, the notoriously risqué shock jock unusual: This is a hit show with something finds himself on prime time television, on like 20 million viewers. Maybe I will bring one of the summer’s biggest reality TV hits, new people to the table. We don’t know… sitting next to Howie Mandel and Sharon it’s an experiment. If it doesn’t work I will Osbourne at the judges table on America’s crawl back to my hole on Sirius Satellite Got Talent. Replacing Piers Radio and lick my wounds.

Morgan, Howard comes ONE OF MY But if it does work, I’d be across like a less-prissy thrilled. I think this type ACCOMPLISHMENTS Simon Cowell, with a far of television risks going IN RADIO WAS superior sense of humor and the way of the disco ball THAT I COULD HOLD sunglasses that never come if the judges don’t step up off. IN short, he’s the best PEOPLE’S ATTENTION and offer real criticism. thing that ever happened to I’m hopefully going to add LONGER THAN MY show. We recently caught up some energy to it.

COMPETITION. IT with Stern to find out what TAUGHT ME HOW TO attracted him to the gig.

You mentioned you were a BE INTERESTING. YOU fan of AGT. What do you Any worries about losing COULD START TO FEEL like about the show? your edge on such a What I like about the WHAT THE AUDIENCE uniqueness of America’s mainstream TV show?

It is a family show, but NEEDED. IT’S ALMOST Got Talent is that it’s true it’s a show I love. I’ve been vaudeville. I’m sitting there LIKE A PSYCHIC KIND watching it for years. I don’t at one of the auditions, a OF THING. I COULD want to come in there and do guy comes out and his act FEEL THE PRESENCE The Howard Stern Show, or is that he gets kicked in the else people are going to hate OF A GUY OR WOMAN nuts! The guy comes out it. I don’t think I’m losing my with three guys, takes of DRIVING TO WORK, edge because I’ve always been his pants, and you could BEING BORED TO about honesty, whether on see he’s not wearing a cup.

DEATH. the radio, a movie, or a book.

They start to kick him in And on America’s Got Talent, the balls, and I’m laughing I’m being honest. As long as you’re honest, like it’s The Three Stooges or Jackass. He you don’t lose your edge. said, “If you put me through, I will step it up.” So god knows, I think I may be able to You’ve dubbed yourself “America’s judge.” get him to shoot his balls off…

What do you mean by that?

It became very clear to me as we went Any other standout acts you’ve seen from city to city that I was the judge thus far? whose opinion people cared about. I’m a Really, there’s an assortment. There was fan of Simon Cowell’s, I was a fan of Piers a mentalist, a juggler, dancers, and we even Morgan, Len from Dancing With the Stars, had a marching band this season. I mean, and Adam Levine is good on The Voice. do you think I’d like a marching band?! But There are certain people [whose opinion] I love these guys. They came from a tough you care about and there are those that life and they do a marching band take on you don’t. With this show, I’m that judge contemporary music. They are absolutely that you care about. It’s amazing. I didn’t spectacular. Doing this variety show suits know this would happen, but my honesty is me, because look what I’ve been doing on infectious. the radio: I’ve made stars out of people like

T

PG 10 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

Ronnie the Limo Driver and Beetlejuice, so I’ve seen everything come down the pike. It excites me to be a part of this.

How do you think dealing with oddities of different forms on your radio show prepared you for this experience?

You know, in radio, being a broadcaster is what it’s all about. One of my accomplishments in radio was that I could hold people’s attention longer than my competition. It taught me how to be interesting. You could start to feel what the audience needed. It’s almost like a psychic kind of thing. I could feel the presence of a guy or woman driving to work, being bored to death. As a broadcaster, I think I bring a unique perspective because I know what’s commercially viable. The people I put on my show, the people I work with and the guests that I have, it’s intuitive. You have to know what real talent is.

What’s one thing you learned from the contestants on this show?

Some contestants would come on, and they were maybe 17 years old. We would start to criticize them [after their performance], and they would go, “You don’t understand: I’ve been working at this my whole life. You have to give me a chance!” I would say, “Your whole life? You don’t even know what work is yet!” This show is a shortcut, but you’ve still got a lot of hard work ahead of you. So what I learned is that a lot of people THINK they have talent, and a lot of people want to be handed an opportunity. It doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to work hard… And I’ve also learned that your nuts can take a bowling ball.

What sort of talent really takes your breath away?

I’m looking for somebody who I think can turn an audience on. They can be sort of an unpolished diamond in the rough, but I’m looking for somebody who makes me want to see them again. Whether you’re getting kicked in the nuts, or you’re turning a whole theater into music, or you’re a squirrel that

goes around in a circle in a pool on water skis, if I think, “I wanna see that again,” then you’ve got me. An even higher litmus test is, if I was an agent, would I take you on as a client? If I was a record company, would I sign you? That’s what I look at. Would I put my own money into that act?

Did you have any doubts about taking the job?

Don’t forget, a lot of obstacles had to be looked into, primarily the fact that I work in New York and the show was live in Los Angeles. NBC needed to think it through if it was worth moving the show for me, and I was very honored when they did that. I don’t know if the staff is thrilled with me, but I’m thrilled that they’re coming to beautiful Newark. How exciting is that? You know, when I look at my career, I always think things through.

I’m calculated to a degree. But this was actually a pretty easy decision. I didn’t want to analyze if it’s the right thing for me to do or not. I didn’t want to go through all of those internal insecurities.

I felt like, “This feels like fun to me. How fun for my audience to see me on this, and maybe America will enjoy me on it. I took a leap of faith and went with it.

Are you comfortable with America seeing the softer side of Howard Stern, like you hugging the little 7-year-old rapper after making him cry?

Here’s the thing: When I go on Letterman, I abide by the standards of network television. When you hear me on the radio, I have a very explicit style: We talk about sex, we talk about drugs, we talk about everything in an honest way.

But that’s on Sirius Satellite Radio! It’s similar to the way Redd Foxx had a very dirty standup act, but he was also one of the most successful comedians on a TV sitcom. I’d like to think that, depending on the medium, I can add something outrageous to everything I do. And by outrageous, I mean being honest and not being cookie-cutter. I think there’s all types of ways to fit in…

TV

WILD THING

Jenny McCarthy On Athletic Competition, Bad Habits & Finding Love In The Wild

BY AMANDA MILES

N

BC’S SUMMER REALITY TV HIT Love in the Wild returns on June 7 (10pm EST) with a new host, Jenny McCarthy. The buxom blonde first made waves as the beautiful, ballsy co-host on MTV’s Singled Out. Now she’s back to her hosting roots after spending the last decade on the bestseller list as an author and activist.

This season of Love in the Wild is set in the Dominican Republic, with men and women looking for love while on an outrageous adventure. McCarthy knows a thing or two about love and adventure, making her the perfect host for the show.

As a hands-on mother, were you able to bring your son with you to the Dominican Republic?

Yes, I had my son with me the entire time.

I like to drag him everywhere I go, and as a single mom I need to. It was one of the most incredible experiences of both of our lives.

Evan fell in love with the island, I fell in love with the culture, and I had a ball while working with these youngsters.

Being in the dating world myself, I find that it takes a long time to chip away that “fake self.” In the real world it might have taken six months to see that red flag, whereas they see it by day two because of the show. That was another reason that I said yes.

What was the most shocking thing that happened during the shoot?

There were a few! These kids were doing such dangerous adventures! I couldn’t believe what we were asking them to do. Huge athletes couldn’t have done half of the stuff we made these kids do, but I was the one that wound up on crutches! I pulled my hamstring, while I was sleeping. I felt like a real wuss.

What specifically changed from season one to season two?

The difference is that the last one was shot in Costa Rica, and that kind of jungle was a little too extreme. The couples could not get as romantic as they wanted because of the bugs and heat. The Dominican Republic is still known for its jungles, but the beaches there are just breathtaking… some of the most beautiful in the world. The other big change was the accommodations.

I THINK I WOULD HAVE DONE As a host, what did This year they you want to bring to added a “lean-to,” GREAT ON THE ADVENTURES, the show that wasn’t which is basically BUT IT WOULD HAVE COST there last season? just a wood-plank I thought to myself, floor with a leaf ME FINDING ME A GUY. I to go on a show in the heads PROBABLY WOULD’VE PUNCHED over the second season, I and no walls. The needed to know that contestants woke HIM IN THE FACE FOR DOING the format worked. up and had at least SOMETHING WRONG ON If the format didn’t 50 mosquito bites work, no amount of THE ADVENTURE BECAUSE I on their faces. We bleach or pushup bras decided to do that WOULD’VE WANTED TO WIN. was going to help. I this year to make sat down and watched THAT ATHLETIC GIRL INSIDE ME the couples really every episode, and I try hard in the PROBABLY WOULD’VE RUINED saw that the format adventure, so they MY CHANCES. did indeed work. What wouldn’t want to was missing was more come in last place. of a romantic location and a little bit more pizzazz from a host. You need someone who How do you think that you would have can call [the contestants] on their BS and have done as a contestant on this show? Are you fun with them– make fun of the guys, cheer competitive when it comes to love and the on the girls... Girls know how to gossip and get dating game? somebody to admit something more than a That’s a great question. I am an incredibly guy can. I watched all the episodes, and I saw competitive athlete. Unfortunately, I took that the format of how the game plays was not cheerleading. There weren’t many scholarships only clever and interesting but also poignant. for cheerleading, but I was still really athletic.

I think I would have done great on the adventures, but it would have cost me finding me a guy. I probably would’ve punched him in the face for doing something wrong on the adventure because I would’ve wanted to win.

That athletic girl inside me probably would’ve ruined my chances.

Since this is a dating show, can you share any dating tips or words of wisdom on finding love?

Sure! While on this wonderful journey of dating hell I’ve been on, I’ve realized that, on your first date, you have to keep an eye on how your man treats the service industry– your waitress, your waiter, the valet… You can see someone bleed through. If they’re snappy or rude or disrespectful to people that are trying to help you out, I take that as a big red flag and that person doesn’t usually get a second date.

Then, if you make it to that two weeks or a month when you’re dating, the next litmus test is to go on a weekend trip away somewhere.

Spending at least three days together somewhere, you can again see the true self.

That’s usually where I keep going, or end it immediately. It seems to have done me well.

I’m getting rid of the bad guys quick that way!

Contestants on the show are there looking for love, but it’s also a competition. How do you balance that?

The thing I came to realize is that I’m glad there’s not a cash prize, because then I would question who’s really wanting to be with each other. The winners’ prize is a trip together around the world. You’re not going to want to do that with someone that you don’t like, because that would be a trip from hell. I enjoyed the fact that the couples realized that and did talk about it a lot. To me it was the perfect prize for the show.

In addition to hosting, you have another book coming out. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Yes, my new book is called Bad Habits: Confessions of a Recovering Catholic. It’s basically my coming-of-age story, from the time I was six until now. It’s all about the hilarious and sometimes horrific stories of my life– being raised by nuns, sins that have happened along the way, and questioning the rules. It’s really insightful. I hate when people say, “This is my best one yet.” But, as a writer, you do get better at expressing yourself and becoming more vulnerable and raw. This one is my little baby, because it’s my coming of age.

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insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 11

“Complete attention to perfection.”

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL ROOF & GUTTER SYSTEMS

TV

FAMILY FEUD

Kevin Costner Directs & Stars in History Channel’s New Miniseries, Hatfields & McCoys children and the outside people were really the provocateurs of this feud that OU KNOW THE STORY—BUT endured. Devil had 13 children and for a quick, prove-you’re-asRandall had 13 children. For a while, smart-as-you-were-in-fifth-grade in America, that substantiated a farm. refresher, you’ll remember them as the But, as we were approaching the end dueling farmer families, fresh off The of the century, you realize that most of Civil War and fighting for territory, these kids should have been leaving for reputations and for their own right to the big cities because these little valleys survive. With stubborn pride and a whole couldn’t support a clan of 70. They drank lot of just plain stubble, Kevin Costner’s and they hung out and they got angry, Hatfield battles Bill Paxton’s McCoy and they created old feuds. They’d tear down to the dirty end. For those of you the scabs off of old memories, for their who don’t remember the love-yourown purposes. I tried to go back to that neighbor lesson, we’ll leave the ending to time. There were 500,000 people that your own viewing pleasure, on Monday died in the Civil War, and 56,000 died in nights starting May 28. In the meantime, Vietnam while 6,000 or 7,000 have died we got the chance to catch up with Kevin, in Iraq and Afghanistan. You understand find out what inspired him to take on the magnitude of that time and what was the mad-hatted role and get a few fun overlaid there. Devil Anse and Randall facts about making a movie about one McCoy both came out of a war where of history’s biggest they participated battles. in hand-to-hand I THINK THAT YOU TRY TO

combat. So, I RAISE THE BAR ON WHATEVER tried to look at How did you get involved with this YOU DO BECAUSE YOU KNOW, IN all these things, project? in my research, THIS DAY OF HAVING TO DEAL to make sure I like American history, so and I that the violence WITH A LOT OF REALITY TV, liked the writing. seemed right.

PEOPLE SAY THAT SCRIPTED Great stories don’t

often make great When did your PROGRAMMING IS DYING, SO movies. It’s a crafted interest and love YOU HAVE TO TRY TO CREATE art form. I felt of history begin? the authenticity SOMETHING THAT CAN LIVE IN I guess I was of the writing. I thrilled PEOPLE’S MINDS, LONG AFTER always was surprised by by it. When I saw the violence. I was THEY SEE IT. How the West interested in what Was Won, as a was really going on, culturally, at that little boy, that put me on my way. I didn’t point and being able to immerse myself in even leave during the intermission of that era. long movies. I just sat there. I was seven

years old and listened to the overture What about this character and waited for the second half of it to intrigues you? play. History is thrilling for me, along When we came out of the with the violence, the exploration and the Civil War, there was resourcefulness that it actually took to incredible anger. cross America.

People started to

think of Hatfield What was it like to work with such and McCoy, as varied acting careers on set? You had Randall McCoy veterans and newbies all together… and Devil Anse I’ve been on a few movies like Hatfield. But, this that had big casts, and this one the more you really reminded me of some of the study, you begin great times I’ve had during those other to understand movies. The guys were handsome and that the the girls were pretty, but they were all skilled and really, really dedicated. I think all of the actors – if you want to call them veteran actors – try to search out material like this, and hope that it comes along. It’s not easy to write something this long, and be as detailed as it was. And, the fact that we ended up shooting in Romania brought the cast even closer together because we were all a long way from home and the language was a barrier for us, as was the food and everything else. People really rallied around each other. And, this group has managed to stay fairly close and still is pretty much in contact with each

BY JENNI WILLIAMS

Y

PG 12 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

other, long after this movie has been over, and that’s quite unusual.

Did you have to search for the right hat to play Devil Anse Hatfield?

Yeah, the hat was a very big deal. I remember, when I finally did put the hat on for the first time, I was in my room, I noticed that there was this great light coming in and I saw my shadow. I actually saw myself put the hat on that I liked.

Back in that time, part of the way hats were worn was the front of the hat was flipped up. If you ever wear a baseball hat and you flip the front of it up, it looks like your I.Q. drops by about 20 points. So, I knew that that was the way I was going to wear the hat, but I had to not let it look corny or foolish. There is a lot to the clothes, to the pipe and to the beard. That certainly lodges you in place and time.

What did you think, when you found out that you were going to have to trek all the way to Romania to make this uniquely American story?

I should have thought it through clearer. When you fall in love with the girl, you’ve got to marry her, right? I fell in love with this script, and then found out that we were going to have to leave. I probably should have thought it through more because I have little babies and I was away for two and a half months.

Normally, everybody goes with me on a movie, but we just felt that they were so young and we just didn’t understand what we might be running into back there, but you learn from everything. I really appreciated how we were treated while we were there. I was in Transylvania on a full moon. It doesn’t get any weirder or better than that.

When you’ve got good movies to make, how historically accurate can you really be?

You want to be accurate, and you should be, but when you make a movie,

there are going to be leaps, and we had to make some. Sometimes you make them theatrically, and sometimes you make them because nobody really knows. You have to go, “Well, what did start it,” and you touch on a few things that could have started the feud. There were times where we had to compress. I never like to stick my neck so far out on the line and say, “This is absolutely authentic,” but its whole bent is towards authenticity and the participants. Its aim was true.

Do you feel the pressure with this to live up to the Western classics of the old days?

I think that you try to raise the bar on whatever you do because you know, in this day of having to deal with a lot of reality TV, people say that scripted programming is dying, so you have to try to create something that can live in people’s minds, long after they see it.

So, I started with the idea that I didn’t want to make something that could just be dismissed the next day, and that it’s maybe something that you want to revisit or share, the same way as when you hear a great song or read a great book and you go, “I’m going to tell somebody about this.” That’s what you try to do.

With all of the varied roles that you’ve played so far, is there a particular character or two that is especially close to your heart?

I’ve had the pleasure of playing in some movies that people continue to talk about, so that’s always really fun.

But, if I had to boil it down like that, I really liked playing Billy Chapel in For Love of the Game, and I loved playing Charlie in Open Range. With this part, I was so surprised at how deep I was actually able to go. I began to write a lot of music about it, about the era and time, and about this famous blood feud that occurred there. We even wrote the theme song for the movie…

FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD THE AVENGERS 

When news broke that an Avengers movie was in the works, every fanboy’s mind immediately started racing with questions: Who would be in it? Which villains would they use? How would the Hulk look? But what many failed to ask was how these supersized personalities were going to mesh on one screen. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America (Chris Evans) have all proven they can handle the solo spotlight, but putting them in front of the same camera? Let’s not even mention the IMAX-sized screen needed for Hulk (Mark By B. Love Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Hawkeye s one of AmericA’s most (Jeremy Renner). And truthfully, things successful and high are a bit shaky early on.profile Nick businessFury and men, Donald trump was S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists are seen well doingknown some long producer mark Burnett testsbefore with survivor Tessaract, the unlimited energy tapped him to star in America. the Apprentice.

But cube from Captain But something there’s no denying thatand the areality goes awry in the lab portalshow to another world trump opens, from lettinga in Loki, Thor’s painfully turned cartoonish curiosity insecure who has sinister into a bonabrother, fide phenomenon, with histhoughts signaof world conquest.“You’re With fired!”– the Tessaract at his ture catchphrase– inextricadisposal, chances seem lexicon. good. Before you bly enteringhisthe pop culture can doze off Loki’s hokey, Fury calls in Although thefrom Apprentice initially flounthe superhero cavalry to save the day… and dered a bit in the ratings, Burnett trump get the movie going.

Once Tony and Stark, Capt. stumbled by recruitand Thorupon get ina winning the sameformula room, there’s equal ing secondand third-tier actors, athletes, parts dramatic tension and comedy.

Captain models andwants musicians for a celebrity edition America to follow Fury’s game plan. ofTony the show. in its third wantsnow to one-liner youincarnation, to death. Bruce Banner just wants to get home his alter the celebrity Apprentice tossesbefore disparate ego makes mess. Speaking of the angry green stars such asa rocker Bret michaels, wrestler guy, you’llbaseball love how director Whedon Goldberg, legend DarrylJoss strawberry, teases governor up to his fulfilling first transformation. former ron Blagojevich and sharon The last together time Hulkforrears his head is for an osbourne a variety of teamunforgettable finale in downtown Manhattan building exercises and challenges to and it rivals any action sequencedesigned you’ve ever test their business mettle. seen in a comic book-based movie. A camera “the Donald, as thesmashing crazy-coiffed slides from ”Hulk to real Hawkeye estate magnate often known, recently held shooting his ifarrows to Captain America court withhis reporters discuss the show’stake. slinging shield into one mesmerizing It’s big.season.

It’s beautiful. It’s almost everything current the fanboys could’ve ever dreamed.

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

BATTLESHIP it’s very interesting, because so many celebrities  want to be on the show after the success of the previous two seasons. We Summer is athletes, the timesome of year forsome popcorn wanted some actors, films: explosions, shootouts, buddy comedies models and some wrestlers, so i would say and improbable romances. With Battleship, probably or seven peopleKingdom) per spot we director six Peter Berg (The decided were turning down. to take things to a the new hardest level by thing basingis athat bigwe reallyfilm haveonsome good GAME. people that want budget a BOARD Several alien toships go oncrash veryinto badly. i guess theBut ocean off ofmaybe Oahu. we’ll While save them for thehome, next show, because it looks trying to phone they erect a force field around island and a good chunk of ocean like that’sthe going to happen. and proceed to lay waste to part of Hawaii and ispart the Pacific fleet. Trapped How thisofseason going naval to be different than within this killing field, the brash young hero past seasons? and group misfits are forced to either Well,hiswhen youofhave a success like we’ve defeat the aliens or see the Earth destroyed. had, don’t like do too many To you be honest, as topopcorn films changes. go it’s not What we do have is a different tone.excitement, the cast awful. Battleship definitely offers has been veryshootouts, interesting: they’ve very explosions, aliens and been improbable tough and very but there’s alsoit aprovides lot of romance.

Likenasty, Independence Day, fun humor with respect to what a and healthy portion of cheese buthappens, largely offsetsi don’t that with truly epiclast shots which thinksome we had in the one.and a handful moments make some audience With Joanof[rivers] andthat with Piers [morgan], Opening itmembers was reallycheer. nasty people reallywhile hatingAvengers each rules these the boxpeople officehate is hurting attendance other. each other, but it’sbut don’t let that dissuade who like also funny. i think that you. mightFor bethose the biggest summer blockbuster-type films, Battleship is differentiation terms the three casts. genuinely a funinfilm to of watch.

–Justin Patterson Can you usually tell right off the bat who is going to do wellDIARIES and who isn’t?

CHERNOBYL that’s always the most interesting ques tion to me because i’d like to think of myself asBased being on okay oftensite i’llofsay,one thewith truepeople. story But of the of theoneworst nuclear history, “this is going to be meltdowns a star,” and in then he this film a group of extreme turns out tofollows be a dud.

You never really tourists know. taking tourthese of thecelebrities abandoned You feel an likeuncharted you’ve known

city of Prypiat. Some of them are reluctant, some are fascinated, but all of the tourists soon find themselves fighting for their lives when they become stranded overnight in the ill-fated town. As if the imminent radiation isn’t enough, they’re soon attacked by humanlike figures in the shadows, and the horrible reality of the aftermath of the Chernobyl meltdown is revealed. This is the directorial debut for Bradley Parker, who is known for his visual effects work in Fight Club, xXx and We Own The Night. Parker uses his seasoned skills to leave viewers fidgeting in their seats even before something scary happens on screen. If you’re looking for a flick that will creep you out and keep you talking, then through reading aboutbut them forasobuddy. many check this film out… bring years, but a lot of times somebody–Kalena that you Boller don’t think of so highly turns out to be a star.

You justSHADOWS don’t know what will happen with DARK pressure  and the heat of battle.

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

A

The TV series ended its runto40doyears ago but What does a celebrity have to really a surprising of its fervent cult still set themselvesnumber apart and show that they’re remember memory making it seem better in it to win it, than it was.it?The trailer for Tim Burton’s film i can tell you from seasons 1 andadaptation, 2 and version looked like an irreverent from the of regular Apprentice, one-liners people really a string fish-out-of-water about want win. every once in aBarnabas while you’ll the to return of vampire Collins have a quitter, it doesn’t happen often.in a (Johnny Depp)but after 196 years “locked ibox, think theresult reason do itoffisAngelique the level of(Eva ” the of they pissing Green), an enamored witch.charity.

In Collinsport, intensity they feel for their Unlike Maine, hisApprentice, descendants, the regular wherematriarched somebody by Elizabeth (Michelle Pfeiffer), works for me for a pretty good have salaryfallen for a on hard times, their fishing monopoly having year, with this one the money goes to charbeen overtaken by Angelique’s.

Barnabas ity. Last year we raised millions of dollars. sets about restoring their mansion and their everybody has a trying charitytothat theyAngelique love; someat business while keep are foundations they’ve set up themselves bay and wooing Victoria (Bella Heathcote), years in advancereincarnation of the show. so think they the apparent of ihis beloved really fightWith morethe intense because it’s a charJosette. trailer’s gags spread over ity they’re for.film comes closer to the nearly twofighting hours the series’ style of gothic camp. In this regard it’s betterare before dug up andtobecomes What yourBarnabas favoriteischallenges watch the center of attention.

Working with Burton the celebrities tackle? for thewe417th Depp navigates the Well, do havetime, a lot of different challengfamiliar turf on autopilot, as close to boring es, whether we go back to the selling of the as he’s ever been. Sporadically entertaining, the lemonade or as doing basic movie’s not bad something as I feared else and very had heard, without having tobegin deal with Proctor Gambut it doesn’t to rival the &inspired ble or Kodak,ofetc. [sponsor-based reinvention “21sometimes Jump Street. ” Maybe that’s challenges] areshould sort ofhave interesting, but they’re the turf Depp stayed on. expensive for us to do. the ratings suggest –Steve Warren that the fans’ favorite part of the show by far is thePOSITION boardroom, and the boardroom FIRST has gotten longer over the years because of  that. the challenges still have plenty of time Firstwe’re Position follows sixaspects, childrenbutaswethey and focused on both vie been for scholarships and the awards in the have trying to lengthen boardroom Young America Grand Prix, an international because of strong viewer requests. competition in ballet. The documentary shows us both the public and private lives of You’re likefrom a prosecuting in the children ages elevenattorney to sixteen.

We are boardroom.

Do you meter to shown the incredible grace your whichapproach they display different onstage, personalities? but we are also shown that they are Yes,the i think youand dealconfident with different people not mature dancers all of the time. iWe young love, differently quiet terror differently. dealsee with Goldberg wheni deal faced defeat,Blagojevich. dancing despite than withwith Governor i foot and sideline dealt with tendon Dennis injuries rodmanthat and would Joan rivers most athletes.

Perhaps more thancontesanything, differently than some of the other audiences are shows the incredible pressures tants. You have to have that ability. that are brought to bear upon children who would otherwise be playing video How do or yousocializing feel going back the boardgames with infriends.Director room a little Bess after Kargman hashiatus? created a documentary i just succeeds get a greatonkick out levels. of it. i really like which many She shows itaudiences a lot. theyenough want toofrenew for another each itdancer that they findorthemselves truly and caring what happens to two three seasons, we’re thinking these that. kids. iWe a foreign lifestyle which about likesee having a little bit of in a break determined children know that a mistake between shows, where it goes on once a year.at age fourteen can set their careers back by fiveyou years.

Webad are about also shown humbling, Do ever feel firing someone, magnificent grace that most of us will never or is it just experience. part of the job? personally This is a documentary i always bad… no, not always. somethat is at feel once informative, moving, and a times i don’t like people. the hard ones are genuine pleasure to watch. when you really like and respect–Justin somebody Patterson and they make a mistake. Like, as an ex-

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN “Snow White & The Huntsman,” the debut film from former commercial director Rupert Sanders, delivers the goods on a vividly imagined fairy tale for grownups, but it’s not without its flaws in terms of storytelling and casting.

Our review: 

FOR GREATER GLORY

school and going to explore South America.

Camille is so obsessed she can’t enjoy their time together for worrying about when they’ll This film tells the story Mexico’s Cristero War, be apart. Sure enough, when Sullivan travels which ran from 1926 to 1929. Also known he moves on with his life. It takes Camille as La Cristiada, the war began as rebellion longer to “turn a page,” but she eventually does. phrase, When they But meet again, eight ayears againstIt Mexico’s oppression turned out toof BeRoman a good It was later, Camille is working for – and living Catholics.

Mexico’s atheist President Calles FIrst FLuke. durIng the very show I was a LIttLe enforces law forbidding the saying of Mass, with – Lorenz (Magne-Håvard Brekke), an exasperated wIth clergy one from oF the contestants and I used architect she got involved with when he was expulsion of all foreign-born professor.

(Did I mention it’sMark a European the country, and death for anyone FIred!” wearing herwhen the LIne, “you’re [producer] is working as a handyman and clerical vestmentsand in public.

The harderto the dofilm?)

Burnett I agreed theSullivan show we dIdn’t have government squeezes, the more people who press photographer. Their reunion is like the that. wepeace thought say,scene “get heLL out in Thethe Way We Were, but it doesn’t desperately wish for realize thatwe’d they final there. The actual ending, sometime later, must fight back in order oF to practice theiror end here” soMethIng. faith. Groups of rebels hire retired general is so arbitrary they must have run out of film. leadsraised are fine butself-sufficient their appearance Enriquescott Velarde (Andy turn The factyoung that you such ample, Hamilton, fromGarcia) the last to season. change over the story’s nine-year an effective children? ithem had tointo let scott go. i’m amilitary, great faneventually of scott: doesn’t Mia changing the course war and the span.

Well,Writer-director i’m getting a lot of Hansen-Løve credit on the pays chilHe won olympic goldofmedals andfighting he’s a great more attention to the scenery than the look government to a standstill and forcing a treaty dren. everybody’s been asking about ivanka champion. But he understood that he made her stars. Like a love affair, Goodbye First tomistake be enacted.

Aside from being a had well-made of and the answer is yes, she’ll the afilm the For showGreater and i really begins promisingly, hasbe upsback andon downs, aboutonwar, Glory is no much Love show.

But they’re very good kids. they went choice. i felt very badly about that, because more. We think of the age of martyrs as being and ends in disappointment. to very good schools, and they were ilong considered to be a great but for i –Stevegreat Warren ago, buthim seeing a little boyperson, executed have to dotowhat’s right.his it’sfaith neverdestroys fun, butthat it’s students. i couldn’t wait to get them on the refusing renounce show. SCHOOL i had no idea the show would be into easier likeinspiring somebody when notion. when Thei don’t film is andor moving, HIGH but also incredibly disturbing. We see  itsninth and tenth season, which is pretty they’re really, really bad. soldiers break down the doors of a church amazing in the world of television. and slaughter everyone best High School is no musical and has no young That line, “You’re fired,” inside, becamea aboy’s pop culfriendphenomenon. hanged before encourage him love, killers at lots the prom, or surrounding gangly teens trying There’s been of news NBC ture Canhim youtotalk about the to talk,oftowns find and themselves. about lately, your showHigh does School well for is them. origin it? burned to the ground. Though to religious freedom was the catalyst, thebut driving Henry (Matt Bush), a serious, What you think NBC needs to do intelligent, to get back it turned to beisa freedom, good phrase, force of theout rebels and thisitfilm driven teen who will shortly be declared class in the ratings game? was a fluke.

During the very first show i was shows the sacrifices made and the extents valedictorian. While catching up with an old Well,he i know Gaspin of nBc atolittle exasperated one ofwill the conwhich desperatewith people go to be friend, breaksJeffdown and(chairman smokes weed for Universal television entertainment) and, as testants and i used the line, “You’re fired!” free. Audiences will be moved, fascinated and the first time in his life. The next day, the you know, he’s new(Michael to the role. i think he’s When [producer] mark Burnett entertained.

For Greater Glory and is ai agreed serious school’s principal Chiklis) declares filmdothat definitely worthy be seen going to do of a spectacular at nBc. they to the isshow we didn’t havetothat.

We on the institution mandatoryjob drug testing for big screen. student.

Henry he cannotnot pass need more shows like knows the Apprentice. thought we’d say, “Get the hell out of here” or every Patterson will losefrom his astatus valedictorian necessarily realityas standpoint, but as something. And all of a sudden–Justin America went and his shows scholarship to MIT. brilliant they as need that capture theHis imaginacrazy over the show. it happens to be a great well Rip off an extremely bizarre drug GOODBYE FIRST LOVEor one of the major solution? tion. catchphrase. tV Guide (masterfully playedthat by are Adrien Brody)  frankly, certain shows on should entertainment magazines did a poll and, after dealer and replace all brownies at the school bake be changed because, while they get some “Here’s Johnny!” and one other great, it was with pot-laced confections, making Unlike American coming-of-age films,histhe sale pretty good reviews, they don’t get test. people #3 on the top 100 phrases in television This European equivalents aren’t about dudes in EVERYONE at the school fail the watching. tory! that wasAmerican a pretty bigparents honor. who it’s been both.

We’ve hadand it’s nice to get is foul-mouthed, silly, over-the-top their so thirties. see film an thing and an co-production amazing phrase that emmy nominations and aThe lot story of good entertaining. is acclever, thisamazing French-German will incredibly just seems to work. it really caught on, and colades passed our way, and that’s always and the characters will seem remarkably be shocked that 15-year-old Camille (Lola anyone who their teen it’s beenisanallowed amazing thing to watch. nice. Buttoultimately youremembers have to have people Créton) to spend days– and nights– familiar almost the on end with her boyfriend, Sullivan (Sebastian years. watch.Chiklis nBc isisgoing to unrecognizable really do well. iinknow way, andand Oscar-winner Brody is like Urzendowsky).

Sullivan Camille but very What do you think is yourloves biggest accomtheirbest leadership i think they’re winners, neverthey’ll seen turn him itbefore. she’s not hisyour whole life. He’s dropping out of we’ve plishment, business success or the so i think around.Most notable



insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 13

THE INTOUCHABLES

of all is a great performance by Colin Hanks, who hilariously revels in his role as assistant dean. The approach is unabashedly immature and well-paced, perhaps the best stoner film in recent memory. Definitely worth a look, though perhaps best as a rental for viewing at home with friends, pizza and Twinkies…

–Justin Patterson

THE INTOUCHABLES 

You’ve seen it before: an intergenerational, interracial buddy comedy, a symbiotic bromance between the most polar of opposites.

It works just about every time, including this one, perhaps because we really want to believe we can all just get along. Driss (Omar Sy) doesn’t want to be a live-in caretaker for Philippe (François Cluzet), a paraplegic who lives in a house appointed like Versailles.

Driss only applies for the job to extend his unemployment benefits. The Senegalese slacker recently served six months for robbery and takes a “souvenir” during his job interview, but Philippe senses he’d be better than the more qualified applicants - someone who will be irreverent, show him no pity and perhaps add excitement to his life. The opening car chase from late in the story shows what the relationship between the two men develops into but it’s not a spoiler because they bond almost immediately - Driss wouldn’t stay if they didn’t - but this removes any tension from the central narrative. Writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano instead create minor conflicts through multiple subplots, two of them resolved unconvincingly in the final scene. Scheduled to be remade in English as Untouchable, The Intouchables is a calculated crowd-pleaser. Everyone’s too nice, everything’s too simple; but when I could turn off my critical side I thoroughly enjoyed it.

–Steve Warren

I WISH 

The trouble with naturalism is that if you want to see scenes from everyday life you just have to look around you, not spend money on a movie ticket. While I’ve admired previous work by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda (Nobody Knows, After Life), I Wish takes far too long getting into gear. It’s a short story embedded in a long movie. The town of Kagoshima lies at the base of an active volcano, which covers it in ash like Atlanta’s spring pollen, only greyer. Koichi (Koki Maeda), 12, lives with his mother and grandparents.

His parents split up six months ago and his younger brother, Ryu (Oshiro Maeda), lives with their father in another city. Koichi wants to reunite the family. An urban legend about wishes coming true when bullet trains pass in opposite directions is introduced, then set aside to focus on the grandfather’s obsession with baking karukan cake and other trivia; but it becomes the focus of the film’s second half when Koichi organizes a journey – you might call it The Parent Trip - to a place where the trains will coincide. Ryu joins him there, each accompanied by some schoolmates, and the story plays out. Kore-eda is good at what he does but I couldn’t begin to appreciate it until the plot kicked in.

–Steve Warren PG 14 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING 

Far better than director Bruce Beresford’s last film (Mao’s Last Dancer) and star Jane Fonda’s last film about three generations of women (Georgia Rule), Peace, Love & Misunderstanding offers a more rounded portrait of aging hippies than the Hollywood caricatures that haven’t advanced since the ‘70s. Grace (Fonda) lives in Woodstock, NY and acts like she’s there for the 1969 festival. She hasn’t seen her daughter, Diane (Catherine Keener), in 20 years. But when Diane’s husband (Kyle MacLachlan) demands a divorce, she packs up the teenage kids and runs home to mother. Formula demands that Diane, the uptight Republican lawyer, come to terms with her free-spirited, pot-growing mom. And there has to be a potential love interest, with complications, for each of the Woodstock visitors. Diane meets Jude (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), an old friend of Grace’s (as is everyone in Woodstock– “She’s an institution!”). College-bound Zoe (Elizabeth Olsen), a vegan, is attracted to the local butcher, Cole (Chace Crawford). Her younger brother, pathologically shy videographer Jake (Nat Wolff ), falls for barista Tara (Marissa O’Donnell). The open-ended visit leaves time to work everything out, have it fall apart again, work it out again, have it fall apart again... You get the idea. Some of the comedy is organic, befitting the setting, but most of the drama is manufactured, contrivances making the film seem much longer than it is.

–Steve Warren

POLISSE 

It may have been a theatrical feature in France, but in the U.S. Polisse would be a pilot for a TV series, probably a spinoff: Law & Order: Child Protection Unit. That’s not a bad thing– a lot of television is better than what’s on the big screen these days– but it would explain why there are more cases and characters than can comfortably be dealt with in two hours. Potentially interesting people would emerge from the shadows to be developed in future episodes, and perhaps we’d learn the outcome of cases we’d invested in while seeing the “Law” but not the Order.” Director and cowriter Maïwenn has done a good job of pacing the film, breaking up the work the police deal with (pedophiles, abusive parents, criminal children, a homeless mother separated from her son), heartbreaking for anyone who’s ever loved a child, with glimpses into their private lives: Nadine (Karin Viard) foolishly takes divorce counseling from her man-hating partner, Iris (Marina Foïs), and hotheaded Fred (Joey Starr), who gets too emotionally involved in his cases, gradually falls for Melissa (Maïwenn), a photographer assigned to document the unit. A larger police operation that pulls in CPU members seems grafted on from another movie.

Polisse could be a recruiting film – you’ll want to help kids in similar situations – but it’s also a fine drama.

–Steve Warren

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN

TURN ME ON, DAMMIT

Even as a grownup, I love fairy tales, but I typically prefer reading the grim, gory originals to the squeaky clean Disney versions. Snow White & The Huntsman, the debut film from former commercial director Rupert Sanders, delivers the goods on a vividly imagined fairy tale for grownups, but it’s not without its flaws in terms of storytelling and casting. The story– beautiful princess, wicked stepmother, magical mirror, dwarves– remains largely unchanged, but Sanders’ dark, distinctive vision adds an unexpected gothic aesthetic that recalls everything from The Lord of The Rings to Game Of Thrones. Snow White (played as an adult by Kristin Stewart) is supposed to be the center of the story, but it’s Charlize Theron’s deliriously over-the-top turn as the cruel Queen Ravenna, hell-bent on having her stepdaughter’s heart to assure her own everlasting beauty, that dominates the screen. Theron, in her finest turn since Monster, writhes and revels in her character’s operatic evil, vividly capturing the anguish of a psychopath tortured by the possibility of her own mortality. Stewart thankfully avoids the cutesiness typically associated with her character, but as a result her readings often fall a bit flat, and despite her obvious beauty we begin to wonder what the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) and childhood friend Prince William (Sam Claflin) see in her. The casting of the dwarves is another misstep: Though British thesps Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Bob Hoskins and Ray Winstone all look great thanks to fine CGI, the overall effect is distracting, where real dwarves would’ve sufficed. The scenes set in the dark forest, where Snow first encounters the dwarves and eventually eats the fateful apple, are arguably the film’s most magical. But the climactic crescendo is cluttered and chaotic, with fight scenes clearly not the director’s forte. All in all, the film is not quite as good as it might have been, but it was much better than I expected, and left me wishing there were more dark, twisted film versions of our favorite fairy tales.

–B. Love

Had it been made in America, Turn Me On, Dammit could be dismissed as just another raunchy teen sex comedy, albeit one of the better ones – like Easy A, which also had a female central character. But Turn Me On is Norwegian, with subtitles, so it’s an “art film.” Whatever. In the boring town of Skoddeheimen, Alma (Helene Bergsholm), “almost 16,” has two besties, brunette Saralou and her blonde sister Ingrid. Alma and Ingrid are both crushing on Artur. At a party he makes a fumbling move on Alma, poking her with his “pikk.” She tells her friends about it and the news quickly goes viral, making Alma a laughingstock and an outcast at school.

Meanwhile the bill comes for the phone sex line she’s been using and she has to take a part-time job to pay it off. When the bullying becomes unbearable it’s time for a road trip.

From the lip gloss Ingrid wields like a weapon to Saralou’s Texas prison pen pals to Alma’s masturbation, which approaches perpetual motion, Turn Me On, Dammit has everything you want in this kind of movie plus an exotic location for the cherry on top.

–Steve Warren





WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING 

The second (and lesser) ensemble romcom in as many months based on a how-to book for women, What to Expect when You’re Expecting, which was filmed in Atlanta last summer (and makes the city look great!), thinks like a woman. They’re trying to draw in men (in addition to those who are dragged in) by promoting “The Dudes Group” (Chris Rock, etc.). These are the fathers who counsel the movie’s fathers-to-be. As you can guess from the topic, there’s not much boy-meetsgirl here; they’ve already met, which is why the girls are pregnant – or will be within a few minutes. Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford pick up where they left off in high school.

Cameron Diaz and Matthew Morrison get preggers while competing on a TV dance show. “Baby expert” Elizabeth Banks and husband Ben Falcone get pregnant when they stop trying, but his competitive dad (Dennis Quaid) tops him by giving his trophy wife (Brooklyn Decker) twins.

Then there’s infertile Jennifer Lopez, who wants to adopt an Ethiopian baby (with no health record!). The women pull the men around by their...umbilical cords, insisting on everything from buying a new house to not circumcising their son.

A miscarriage, unemployment, various conflicts and complications in the delivery room keep this from being much of a comedy, but of course it winds up as a commercial for parenthood.

–Steve Warren

BATTLESHIP

FILM

Friday, June 15th • 5-11pm

at the Downtown Decatur Square

MOVE IT!

Tickets are $7 in advance at www.decaturdba.com or $10 at the gate.

Children 3-12 years old, $5

David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett-Smith Go Wild on the Big Screen This Summer in Madagascar: Europe’s Most Wanted

BY MARCI MILLER

N

EW YORK’S MOST POPULAR ZOO animals reunite for a third time when Madagascar: Europe’s Most Wanted hits theatres nationwide on Friday, June 8. In this new installment of the hit movie series, the gang is still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent - Madagascar style. All the original stars of the film are back and we recently had the chance to speak with David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith who reprise the roles they made so famous, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo.

How does doing animation work differ from physically acting on the big screen?

Jada Pinkett Smith: You know, it’s a bit different because in a movie you use your complete body as a tool, and with animation, you really only have your voice. And so it’s quite an interesting exercise to have to really concentrate on conveying everything within how you deliver your words and really trusting the creative team around you to create gestures and facial expressions that match.

Do you get to improvise your characters or do you have to stick to the script?

David Schwimmer: Well, it’s a little of both.

There’s definitely a script that we’re handed during each recording session. And I think for all of us what we try to do is do the lines as scripted, because we’re always recording in the booth alone without the other actors in front of us to respond and react to. And then I also like to try to throw in some alternate versions or lines or jokes if so inspired and encouraged. And the directors have been really generous that way.

Jada Pinkett Smith: I love doing the same things, as well as incorporating a little of my personality.

Making Gloria a little hood when I can…creating different lines, different kind of sassy attitudes.

What’s the most important lesson that kids can take away from this film?

David Schwimmer: I think there are several great lessons. In addition to being hysterical and a wonderful adventure story, it introduces kids to different wonderful cities across Europe. I think there are two big messages. First, it’s about friendship and loyalty to your friends, and working through obstacles and challenges together, and overcoming them if possible. And the other thing is about facing your fears and, whether you succeed or not, it’s facing them and hopefully overcoming them…it’s about challenging yourself, and growth.

How do you personally relate to your characters Gloria and Melman?

Jada Pinkett Smith: Gloria is kind of the mama of the group. And that’s how I’ve always been to many groups that I’m a part of. Pretty much all of

my life, I’ve been kind of the mama and kind of the glue. And so I would say that that’s the part that I relate to most as far as Gloria is concerned.

David Schwimmer: I guess it’s actually more of a stretch for me because in life I’m really not much of a hypochondriac. I never go to the doctor or anything.

I’m hard pressed to get my annual physical. I get that probably every three years. But I guess what I try to connect to is the comedy of it, the comedy of a guy who is afraid, who lives in fear and is kind of paralyzed by it. And I think there’s some great comic opportunity in that. And I’ve certainly had fears in my life. So I guess I’m drawn to that in Melman.

What you like to do when you’re off set with your spouse and your kids?

Jada Pinkett Smith: Well, I love snowboarding and I love surfing with my kids. We kind of do extreme things outdoors. Both of my kids like being outdoors. And I’ve had to learn to do a lot of different activities in order to keep up with them. I also do a lot of baking with Willow. She loves to bake and cook. So we’re in the kitchen messing around a lot. And we like to read. My daughter is also an avid reader. So we spend a lot of time reading before we go to sleep and things like that. So kind of boring, but really cool.

As a mom to two very talented children, what is it like to see them in the spotlight and do you worry about how they will handle fame at such a young age?

Jada Pinkett Smith: Well, you know, I get asked that question a lot. I’m glad that I have something like their careers to help teach them about life. Truly, it’s better than the environments that Will and I had to grow up in. So I would give them Hollywood any day than the streets of Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Trust me. Between Will and I, we have about 45 years of experience in this industry. And if you include some of their managers and friends, there’s about a hundred years of experience that these two young people have behind them. And I can’t think of a better start for two young people to have. And so I don’t really concern myself too much, only because I feel like they have an incredible team and they’re surrounded by people who really love them.

And it makes me really happy to see two young people take hold of their lives at a very young age and see them blossom. I think that as adults and as parents, our job is not to dictate what our children should do or protect them in a sense of keeping them from things, but to create situations that are safe in which they can have as much as possible and that they can learn as they go how to create the lives that they actually want. And so I just look at this as a training ground for both Jaden and Willow.

(includes all games and activities)

Headlining this year,

YACHT ROCK SCHOONER! Sand, music, dancing, games, food and fun! www.decaturdba.com

“EXTRAORDINARY!” - Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV

STARTS FRIDAY JUNE 1ST AT SELECT THEATRES www.ForGreaterGlory.com INSITE MAGAZINE ( ATLANTA )

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

FRIDAY 06/01 1/8 PAGE ( 5” ) X 3.375” ALL.FGG.0601.IMEMAIL

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& Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 15

CONCERT CALENDER FRIDAY JUNE 1 529 Tanya Morgan BLIND WILLIE’S Francine Reed CENTER STAGE Uptown Comic EARL Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun EDDIE’S ATTIC Paul Warner FAT MATT’S John Sosobee FIVE SPOT The Low Ready THE FRED George Benson MASQUERADE Paper Route NORTHSIDE TAVERN Scott Glazer’s Mojo Dojo SMITH’S Madison Violet STAR BAR Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics VINYL Heavy Mojo WILD BILL’S Battle of the Bands: Country SATURDAY JUNE 2 529 Hunger 7 BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson CENTER STAGE Uptown Comic EARL Cadillac Jones EDDIE’S ATTIC Songwriter’s Open Mic Shootout FAT MATT’S Rough Draft FIVE SPOT COPE MASQUERADE Corrosion of Conformity NORTHSIDE TAVERN Heather Lutrell SMITH’S The David Mayfield Parade STAR BAR James Hall & The Futura Bold VINYL Chappo WILD BILL’S Battle of the Bands: Rock SUNDAY JUNE 3 EARL Witch Mountain EDDIE’S ATTIC Graham Colton FAT MATT’S Snake Legs VERIZON Jackie Evancho w/ ASO MONDAY JUNE 4 529 Porcelain Raft BLIND WILLIE’S Barrelhouse Bob Page EARL Yacht EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast FIVE SPOT Tubby Love TUESDAY JUNE 5 529 Double Negative BLIND WILLIE’S Boo Hoo Ramblers EARL The Cave Singers EDDIE’S ATTIC The Trishas FAT MATT’S Burning Time FIVE SPOT Cheap Shots Comedy MASQUERADE Dear God No! WEDNESDAY JUNE 6 BLIND WILLIE’S Burnt Bacon EARL Joe Pug EDDIE’S ATTIC Brian Collins & Davin McCoy FAT MATT’S J.P. Blues FIVE SPOT T-Bird & The Beaks MASQUERADE River City Extension PHILIPS Neil Diamond SMITH’S Anoop Desai STAR BAR Posey & The Party Pirates THURSDAY JUNE 7 529 Bass Drum of Death BLIND WILLIE’S Cheryl Renee EARL Sonen EDDIE’S ATTIC Scotty Cram FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT Micah Freeman MASQUERADE Bootylicious SMITH’S Gypsy Sol & The Funkie Church STAR BAR Adron VERIZON Foster The People FRIDAY JUNE 8 BLIND WILLIE’S Sandra Hall CENTER STAGE Mogwai EARL Grass Window EDDIE’S ATTIC Mike Willis FAT MATT’S Fat Back Deluxe FIVE SPOT Bird Eats Baby MASQUERADE Curren$y NORTHSIDE TAVERN Eddie Tigner/Lola Dueling Pianos SMITH’S Super Hooligan STAR BAR Plectophilia VERIZON Bon Iver PG 16 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

VINYL Jeremiah Mixon WILD BILL’S Kelsie Chandler SATURDAY JUNE 9 529 The Left Field Experiment AARON’S Jimmy Buffett BLIND WILLIE’S John Nemeth EARL Xiu Xiu EDDIE’S ATTIC Roxie Watson FAT MATT’S Blues Intrusion FIVE SPOT Beauregard w/ Bumpin Uglies THE FRED Golden Dragon Acrobats MASQUERADE The Cribs NORTHSIDE TAVERN Ike Stubblefield SMITH’S Chris Edmonds WILD BILL’S Skid Row SUNDAY JUNE 10 EARL Front Porch Session Players EDDIE’S ATTIC Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers FAT MATT’S Snake Legs FIVE SPOT Marsapalooza Benefit MASQUERADE Two Door Cinema Club TABERNACLE Childish Gamino VERIZON ZZ Top & 3 Doors Down MONDAY JUNE 11 529 Damon Moon BLIND WILLIE’S Bill Sheffield EARL Langhorne Slim & the Law EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE Simle Empty Soul SMITH’S The Constellations VINYL Graffiti6 TUESDAY JUNE 12 BLIND WILLIE’S Damon Fowler FAT MATT’S Burning Time FIVE SPOT Cheap Shots Comedy MASQUERADE Uncle Lucius WEDNESDAY JUNE 13 BLIND WILLIE’S Electromatics CHASTAIN Gavin DeGraw EARL Saint Ugly EDDIE’S ATTIC ATL Collective FAT MATT’S J.P. Blues FIVE SPOT Wumbhi Showcase MASQUERADE The Real McKenzies PHILIPS Roger Waters: The Wall Live SMITH’S Howle & Mosley STAR BAR The F’ing Heartbreaks THURSDAY JUNE 14 529 Summer Goth Danse Party BLIND WILLIE’S Heather Luttrell EARL Death of Kings EDDIE’S ATTIC Jason Isbell FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT IMPLUSE Pre-Party MASQUERADE Bootylicious SMITH’S Drake White STAR BAR Abby Gogo VINYL New Fad Zoo FRIDAY JUNE 15 529 Pujol BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson EARL Three Bad Jacks EDDIE’S ATTIC Michelle Malone FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission FIVE SPOT Mike Dillom Band MASQUERADE Honey Island Swamp Band NORTHSIDE TAVERN Stoney Brooks SMITH’S Antigone Rising STAR BAR Jimbo Mathus VINYL Shark Fighter WILD BILL’S Kurt Thomas Band SATURDAY JUNE 16 BLIND WILLIE’S Big Bill Morganfield CENTER STAGE Mint Condition CHASTAIN Anita Baker EARL Cory Branan EDDIE’S ATTIC Dar Williams FAT MATT’S J.T. Speed FIVE SPOT Infinien THE FRED A1A Jimmy Buffet Tribute THE LOFT HOT 107.9 Birthday Bash

VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEARE presents Foster The People (June 7)

MASQUERADE Needeep NORTHSIDE TAVERN The Breeze Kings PHILIPS HOT 107.9 Birthday Bash SMITH’S Haley & Alexis Band WILD BILL’S Jackyl SUNDAY JUNE 17 CENTER STAGE Mint Condition EDDIE’S ATTIC Carolina Story FAT MATT’S Snake Legs TABERNACLE The Cult w/ Against Me MONDAY JUNE 18 529 Turf War BLIND WILLIE’S Little G Weevil EARL Lost In The Trees EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast FIVE SPOT DJ Tall Boy MASQUERADE Orgone TUESDAY JUNE 19 529 Uberchriist BLIND WILLIE’S The Hollidays EARL The Black Belles FAT MATT’S Burning Time FIVE SPOT Cheap Shots Comedy WEDNESDAY JUNE 20 BLIND WILLIE’S Joe McGuinness Trio EARL What Happened To Your Fire, Tigers?

EDDIE’S ATTIC SONiA & Rachael Sage FAT MATT’S J.P. Blues PHILIPS LMFAO SMITH’S Angela Reign STAR BAR Moonbase TABERNACLE Aziz Ansari VINYL The Arrival THURSDAY JUNE 21 BLIND WILLIE’S Tommy Brown EARL Dogbite EDDIE’S ATTIC Steff Mahan & Cheley Tackett FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Passafire SMITH’S The Corduroy Road STAR BAR Hello Ocho VINYL Melodime FRIDAY JUNE 22 BLIND WILLIE’S Sandra Hall CHASTAIN Music of the Night EARL Lower Dens EDDIE’S ATTIC Hannah Thomas Band FAT MATT’S Mike Lowry GWINNETT ARENA Lady Antebellum THE LOFT Matthew Perryman Jones MASQUERADE Homegrown Hip Hop Showcase SMITH’S Watershed WILD BILL’S Bucky Covington SATURDAY JUNE 23 529 Cloudeater AARON’S Iron Maiden BLIND WILLIE’S Theodis Ealey EARL Still Flyin’ EDDIE’S ATTIC Jen Foster

FAT MATT’S Mr. Chapman’s Quarterly Revue THE FRED Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack MASQUERADE Tech N9ne NORTHSIDE TAVERN Lola & The Blues Ladies SMITH’S Joe Purdy STAR BAR The Pelvis Breastlies SUNDAY JUNE 24 EARL We The Lion FAT MATT’S Snake Legs MONDAY JUNE 25 529 The Fake Boys BLIND WILLIE’S Midnight Revival EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast SMITH’S Lusitania TABERNACLE Tenacious D TUESDAY JUNE 26 BLIND WILLIE’S Electro Duo EARL Wowser Browser EDDIE’S ATTIC Griffin House FAT MATT’S Burning Time FIVE SPOT Cheap Shots Comedy MASQUERADE Crossfade WEDNESDAY JUNE 27 BLIND WILLIE’S John Sosebee EARL Moonface FAT MATT’S J.P. Blues MASQUERADE Porter Robinson VINYL Afton Showcase THURSDAY JUNE 28 529 New Terminus BLIND WILLIE’S Sweet Betty EARL The Mynabirds EDDIE’S ATTIC The Cumberland Collective FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FIVE SPOT Dirty Bourbon River MASQUERADE Bootylicious SMITH’S Truth & Salvage Co. FRIDAY JUNE 29 529 Free Acid AARON’S Def Leppard BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson EARL Tiger! Tiger!

EDDIE’S ATTIC Ryan Horne FAT MATT’S Spanky & The Love Handles FIVE SPOT Lingo, Dark Sinatra MASQUERADE Beat Connection NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat SMITH’S Hydralites SATURDAY JUNE 30 BLIND WILLIE’S Sandra Hall EARL These United States FAT MATT’S Big C & The Ringers MASQUERADE Sleepy Turtles NORTHSIDE TAVERN Mudcat SMITH’S The Time Before The War TABERNACLE Fight Party II VINYL Tallhart WILD BILL’S Project 9-6-1 Pajama Jam

VIDIOTS UPCOMING DVD RELEASESAND REVIEWS

BY B. LOVE & JOHN B. MOORE

GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS: SEASON 6 For years I’ve been calling BS on the use of the term “realty” for this series about Kiss founder Gene Simmons, his lady Shannon Tweed and their two college-aged kids.

While the show was genuinely entertaining, it’s obvious a lot of the situations were clearly staged. Season 6 kicks off with the couple close to splitting up, seeking therapy and eventually getting married. It would be unbelievably low for the duo to fake a family crisis just for the sake of the show.

However, we are talking about Gene $immons here...

HAYWIRE Plot takes a back seat in this action flick centered on MMA fighter Gina Carano, who plays Mallory Kane, black-ops agent for a government security contractor. She’s framed for a client’s death, and then hunted by her employers. Though the action sequences clearly take the highest priority here, it ends up being a pretty damn good flick thanks to the direction of Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Ocean’s Eleven) and a rock-solid supporting cast.

LETHAL WEAPON COLLECTION It’s hard to remember a time when buddy cop comedies weren’t a cliché, but Lethal Weapon was the prototype. Don’t let your warm nostalgia cloud your memory of how edgy these films were at the time: Mel Gibson’s Riggs and Danny Glover’s Murtaugh

were both potty-mouthed (right down to Glover’s signature line, “I’m getting’ too old for this shit!”) and violent. This collection compiles all four Lethal Weapon films on Blu Ray for the first time in the U.S., though the UK version has been available for a while.

Extras include commentary by director Richard Donner, additional scenes from the director’s cuts, making-of documentaries and a variety of new retrospective featurettes.

TRUE BLOOD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON Vampires? Check. Werewolves and werepathers? Check. Shapeshifters and fairies? Check. The only supernatural species missing from this stellar HBO series was witches, and season four trots the spell-casters out en masse. The show continues its brilliant mix of comedy, horror, drama and sex, as a witch tortured by vampires during the Spanish Inquisition is summoned by a local group of Bon Temps witches and extracts her revenge. Can’t wait to see what gets unleashed in season five!

THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SEASON 6 This popular History Channel series brings astronomy and the study of our planet’s origins to light via incredible CGI and a simple storytelling style that makes the subject matter accessible to the average Joe. Compiled on 4 DVDs or 3 Blu Ray discs, season six’s 14 episodes cover topics ranging from “Catastrophes That Changed The Planets” and “How The Solar System Was Made” to “God & the Universe” and “Our Place In The Milky Way.” For longtime fans of the show, some of these episodes feature familiar topics that were covered fairly extensively in earlier seasons. But newcomers will love the show’s unique approach to explaining the science of space.

East ATL Village | badearl.com MON. JUNE 04, 2012 | 8:30PM

YACHT • ONUINU TOMAHAWK DEB

Sun

June 3 June 7 Fri

June 8 Sun

June 10

July 4

July 10 Sat

July 14

JACKIE EVANCHO with

Fri

AtlAntA symphony orchestrA

July 20 dONAld fAgEN

fOstEr tHE pEOplE with the

kooks • kimbra

mICHAEl mCdONAld bOz sCAggs

bON IVEr with the

stAves

GANG OF OUTLAWS

All yOu NEEd Is lOVE

Sat

A CELEBRATION OF THE BEATLES

zz tOp 3 dOOrs dOwN

July 21

All-AmErICAN CElEbrAtION

July 31

yEs

AtlAntA symphony orchestrA David Abell, conductor Debbie Gravitte, vocalist U.S. Army Chorus

Aug 8

KElly ClArKsON tHE frAy

Sun

Il dIVO

grEtCHEN wIlsON

with

furtHur:

Aug 12

bOb wEIr & pHIl lEsH

CrOsby, stIlls & NAsH

Sun

Aug 19

LAST SUMMER ON EARTH

July 16

tHE duKEs Of sEptEmbEr rHytHm rEVuE:

bArENAKEd lAdIEs bluEs trAVElEr

Fri

Aug 24 nov 1

bIg HEAd tOdd & tHE mONstErs CrACKEr

with

AtlAntA symphony orchestrA Martin Herman, conductor Classical Mystery Tour

with procol

hArUm

with CaroLiNa

Liar

with

AtlAntA symphony orchestrA HONDA CIVIC TOUR

lINKIN pArK INCubus with mUtemAth

my mOrNINg JACKEt with baND

oF horses

rusH

Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets including Publix Super Markets.

TICKETMASTER.COM • 1.800.745.3000

Tickets also at the venue box office (M-F: 10am-6pm; Sat: 10am-2pm; closed Sunday). The venue is conveniently located off GA-400 in Alpharetta.

VZWAMP.COM • FACEBOOK.COM/VERIZONWIRELESSAMPHITHEATRE

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

Owned and operated by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater Don’t Miss Out on the Fun!

Presented By

TUE. JUNE 05, 2012 | 8:30PM

THE CAVE SINGERS DAN SARTAIN • SHANE TUTMARC

LEXUS SOUTH ATLANTA

WED. JUNE 06, 2012 | 8:30PM

JOE PUG • DAVID WAX MUSEUM

G G

SAT. JUNE 09, 2012 | 9:00PM TIGHT BROS. NETWORK PRESENTS:

XIU XIU YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN FATHER MURPHY

Spotlight Concert The Golden Dragons

MON. JUNE 11, 2012 | 8:30PM OK PRODUCTIONS & TRIPLE DS PRESENT:

Peabo Bryson

June 9

and

Roberta Flack

LANGHORNE SLIM & THE LAW HA HA TONKA

June 23

SAT. JUNE 16, 2012 | 9:00PM

CORY BRANAN AUDRA MAE JEREMY AGGERS

TUE. JUNE 19, 2012 | 8:30PM TRIPLE DS PRESENTS:

THE BLACK BELLES THE COATHANGERS • SQUISH MAC BLACKOUT BAND

Conductor, Maestro Ken White

Spotlight Concert The Swingin’ Medallions

July 7

Spotlight Concert “Pop Goes the Fourth” featuring The Fayette Pops Symphony Orchestra

July 3

FRI. JUNE 22, 2012 | 9:00PM TIGHT BROS NETWORK & OK PRODUCTIONS PRESENT:

Spotlight Concert The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

July 21

LOWER DENS • NO JOY ALAN RESNICK WED. JUNE 27, 2012 | 8:30PM

MOONFACE • LA BIG VIC TIKKA SAT. JUNE 30, 2012 | 9:00PM

THESE UNITED STATES THU. JULY 05, 2012 | 8:30PM

FRIENDS

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

Richard Marx Solo Tour with 20 Strings

July 14

Billy Ocean

August 11

Tickets available at www.ticketalternative.com or the Fred Box Office. For more information visit us on twitter, Facebook, www.amphitheater.org or call The Fred at 770.631.0630 insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 17

Outdoor Music Venues Summer 2012 The Most Anticipated Shows of the Coming Season ASO Classic Chastain

4469 Stella Dr. NW; Chastain Park

Chastain Amphitheatre is one of the great outdoor concert venues in the country. It is an ideal setting to combine dining al fresco with a diverse range of musical talent. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own food, wine and spirits (when permitted) or take advantage of the venues preferred caterers and concessions to help enhance their concert experience. Some of the most anticipated performances for the upcoming season include: Anita Baker (June 16); Dianna Krall (July 11); Joe Cocker & Huey Lewis and the News (July 25); and Seal with Macy Gray (July 28). For ticket information visit www.deltaclassicchastain.com or call 404.733.5012

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood 2002 Lakewood Way; Atlanta

Atlanta's largest and premier dedicated concert venue in the Southeast. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at

Lakewood offers 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: Iron Maiden (June 23); Def Leppard (June 29); 311 (July 21); IDentity Festival (August 2); and KISS 104.1 Flashback Festival (August 11). For ticket information visit www.livenation.com or call 404.443.5090.

at Encore Park in Alpharetta, Georgia

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

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park ranked 19th in the world on Pollstar's top Amphitheatres by ticket sales and was awarded "Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue" three times. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre also serves as the summer home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Some of the highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: the ASO July 4th AllAmerican Celebration; Furthur: Bob Weir & Phil Lesh (July 10); and Crosby, Stills & Nash (July 14). For ticket information visit www.vzwamp.com or call 404.249.6400.

Morris Day & The Time

SOS Band

Jeffrey Osborne

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11th

AARON’S LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE

Doors open at 5:00 pm show starts at 6:00 pm Tickets on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at

Ticketmaster.com

PG 18 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

201 McIntosh Trail Peachtree City, Georgia

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Faith Evans

Cupid

Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

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 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: Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack (June 23); The Swing’in Medallions (July 7); Richard Marx with 20 strings (July 14) and Billy Ocean (August 11). The Fred is just a short drive from Atlanta.

Take I-85 South to exit 61 (Fairburn/Peachtree City). For ticket information visit www.amphitheater.org or call 770.631.0630.

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

5239 Floyd Rd. Mableton, Georgia

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is a mid-sized, yet intimate, outdoor venue located off Floyd Road in south Cobb County. Nestled among trees in the quaint suburbs of Mableton, Ga. Mable House Barnes is beautifully landscaped in a gorgous natural setting. It is a covered amphitheatre with intimate dining table seating protected from the weather. There are more than 1200 covered oversized seats with spacious aisles and a cozy lawn to lounge on.

The facility has the capacity to host 2,410 people. This year they are offering a free summer of Candlelite Concerts. These include Randall Bramblett Band (June 16); and Blair Crimmons and the Hookers (August 18). 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 www.mablehouse.org or call 770.819.7765.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Concerts in the Garden 45 Piedmont Avenue NE Atlanta

Music fills the air amidst flowers and nature in the heart of Midtown during Concerts in the Garden. Atlanta's most intimate outdoor music event has been recognized as "Best Outdoor Concert Series" by Atlanta Magazine. This years stellar line-up includes: k.d Lang (June 1); Neko Case (July 20); Merle Haggard (August10); Keb Mo (August 11) and the Indigo Girls (Sept 14).

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA

JUNE 7 - SONEN

The Earl SONEN is an indie-electro-dancerock band hailing from Atlanta, GA and is comprised of Keith Evans (vocals, bass, guitar, synth), Holly Mullinax (vocals, synth, perscussion), and Josh Guss (guitar, synth, laptop ninja). Sadly, Sonen is seeing off their current drummer Josh with this show. But, the band is still planning an album release later this summer, Their dark and powerful melodies, harmonic vocals, and hypnotic beats combine to push the sonic limits of indie rock while maintaining a solid electronic edge. Post punk mixed with dark wave, add the Doves, London After Midnight, and Sneaker Pimps. Show up expecting to be dazzled by lights and swept into dancing ecstasy.

JUNE 8 - BON IVER

Verizon Amphitheatre The American indie folk band, Bon Iver, began as the musical project of Justin Vernon.

Deriving its name from the French phrase “bon hiver” meaning (have a) good winter; the band won Grammys for best new artist and best alternative music album for 2012. Initially, Bon Iver, had a more stripped down, guitar, bass, drums, piano, sound with layered harmony vocals; a beautiful sparseness. Vernon collaborated with Kanye West on “Lost in the World” and “Monster”…but as time has passed and

with the release of Bon Iver’s second album, the layers and instrumentation has became far more complex and varied; adding horns, pedal steel guitar, and keyboards. Try to pitch a more raw Jeff Buckley mixed with the Low Anthem in your mind and that will give you a good idea of the core sound that is Bon Iver.

JUNE 13 - ROGER WATERS: THE WALL LIVE

Phillips Arena Roger Waters, the co-founder and principal songwriter of the archetypal progressive band Pink Floyd, returns to Philips Arena with his historic production of “The Wall.” His aural and visual masterpiece of alienation and transformation will be performed in its entirety, featuring a full band and state-of-the-art production. Pink Floyd toured “The Wall” in ‘80-’81 in only four cities and totaled only 31 shows. The concert has garnered an almost mythic quality.

This restaging of “The Wall” has played more than 120 shows around the world for more than 1.6 million fans making it one of the most successful tours of 2010 and 2011. The new incarnation has an even larger geo-political narrative to its storyline, using some new visuals that emphasize current events as well as the drama inherent in the original story. The personal as well as literal isolation is a small part of the larger symbolism explored; racial, political, and cultural divides between nations.

Images, slogans, charicature-esque cartoons, and inflatable puppets populate and terrorize Waters and the world of “The Wall.” When the wall finally comes down in the finale, the most moving moment of the entire performance is realized. Waters is saying this tour is likely his

last, and there is no better way to experience “The Wall” than live. Don’t miss this one-of-akind night of music and performance.

JUNE 19 - THE SWORD

The Masquerade Though the Sword is often considered a doom metal band, it is clearly more influenced by the sounds of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. There is certainly a retro metal feel to their music.

Their most recent album was a sci-fi concept album, entitled Warp Riders. They are planning to hit the studio soon and release a new album later this year. High-energy with great melodies, nods to past classic rock/metal juggernauts, the Sword is an unrelenting collection of heavy riffs and thundering beats.

Sling your air guitar and bring your neck brace for afterwards!

JUNE 22 - LADY ANTEBELLUM

Gwinnett Center The Nashville trio, Lady Antebellum, is currently one of the most popular country bands. They are the reigning CMA and ACM vocal group of the year.

The latest release by the country music trio is Own the Night. It topped the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy award for best country album. The tight vocal harmonies of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelly, and Dave Haywood really help set their musical style apart from other country music artists. The purity and soulful emotion that permeates their singing sets them apart from other country bands, enhancing and electrifying their music. Expect to hear crowd favorites, “I Run to You” and “Need You Now”. A fine night to wear your country pride and your boots.

WE GOT NEXT LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL

Lakewood Amphitheatre Iron Maiden are coming to Atlanta with their Maiden England world tour and Alice Cooper is the opening act! This is a hard hitting duo that will melt faces with classic metal sounds.

Iron Maiden is a british pioneering heavy metal band that is known primarily for their popularity throughout the 80’s. They’ve regained momentum and popularity since 1999 when vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith returned to the band. Their mascot, Eddie, has supported the band through his horrific/sci-fi zombi-esque image for the past 30 years. The Maiden England tour closely mirrors their ‘89 concert video of the same name, and will replicate a performance of 2/3rds of the original song track list. They recently won a Grammy for Best Metal performance with their song “El Dorado”. Alice Cooper is the original shock-rock performer with elaborate stage shows that draw equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and grand theatrics. These two performers will create an unforgettable night of fantastic classic metal. Metal horns required!

JUNE 23- NORAH JONES

The Fox Theatre Norah Jones launched her career with a fusion of jazz, pop, and country. Come Away with Me earned Norah Jones five Grammy awards including album of the year and best new artist. Norah Jones has an affinity for the music of Bill Evans and Billie Holiday.

She is supporting her latest album Little Broken Hearts, featuring production by Danger Mouse. She has changed her tradition sound, exploring a more pop/electronic/fuzzy shimmering guitar sound not unlike that of Leslie Feist singing a song from a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack in a David Lynch film. A brilliant musical artist and an excellent live performer, not to be missed.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Wasted (Tone Tide Records) For Fans of: The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Willie Nelson Why You Should Care: Because Lukas draws on much more than his famous last name to

BY JOHN B. MOORE

H

JUNE 23 - IRON MAIDEN AND ALICE COOPER

AVING ONE OF THE GREATEST country rock outlaws as your father could actually be a pretty big albatross around your neck, especially if you are trying to make a name for yourself in the music world. But Lukas Nelson – son of Willie – has managed to do just fine, in part, because there is simply no denying that he is one hell of a good musician, regardless of his last name.

Need proof? Just listen to any random track off of Wasted, the latest record from Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Combining influences as varied as The Rolling Stones,

deliver rock at its finest.

Neil Young, Paul Simon and, yes, Willie, the band is – clichés aside – something you simply have to experience live.

Wasted was recorded live in the studio on analog – an anomaly nowadays – and captures well the energy of the band. Only a couple of years into its existence, the group is already building loyal fan bases across the country, in part thanks to a grueling tour schedule.

Mid-tour, Lukas was kind enough to take time recently to answer a few questions about the band’s founding, onstage rituals and career advice from his dad.

How did you first connect with Anthony, Tato and Corey?

Well, I met Anthony at a Neil Young show in LA. Later, we went surfing under the pier in Seal Beach and that night I got stung by a stingray but the waves were so fun I just kept surfing. I had to put my foot in hot water that night to dull the pain, but I knew I had found a good friend in LA so I was happy. I have been friends with Tato since I was 8 years old. He came to Hawaii from Urugay and Argentina in his early 20’s, doing landscaping and anything he could, and started to work at our house. We started to hang out a lot and my brother and I would do landscaping with him sometimes. His sister was our babysitter, and we became good friends and have been playing music together ever since. Corey has been friends

with Anthony for a long time too as they both went to the same music college, Citrus in Pomona. In this way we all have known each other for a while now.

expansive than the last one. Was that a conscious decision?

I don’t think so; I think we’ve just matured as musicians and producers ourselves...

You got a lot of attention with Promise of the Real. Did you feel a lot of pressure following it up with the new record?

Not really. I am just writing all the time now, and I have so much material I’m just waiting for the chance to get in the studio again.

Your sister is on this record. Any other guests?

Yes, Cowboy Eddie long played steel incredibly.

Speaking of which, was the writing or recording process any different this time around?

No, not really. I just hear a song in my head and write it down. We did, however, record it to 192kh digital sound and mixed to analog so it has the highest digital sound quality possible.

Is there a general theme to the songs off of Wasted?

It’s an honest snapshot of where I was at that time in my life.

What was it about Jim Brown that worked as a producer?

Jim just let the songs speak for themselves and we work so well together. He really is a brilliant guy.

This album sounds a lot more

You also play on almost half the songs off your dad’s new record. What was it like the first time you recorded with him?

Awesome!

What’s the best advice you dad ever gave you about playing music for a living?

Keep your family close and stay healthy.

As a band what one characteristic or aspect would you pick to be remembered for?

For giving back as much as we took.

As a band, have you guys developed any performances or pre-performances traditions yet?

We like to get the crowd involved. They like to sing along to “4 letter word” and others. It’s fun!

What’s next for the band?

Well, I am already starting to put together all the material and concepts for the next album. It should be really great.

insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 19

MUSIC

MUSIC

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

The Dean’s List NORAH JONES – Little Broken Hearts (Blue Note) Perfect soundtrack for a film that hasn’t been made yet LVS: Norah Jones seems to be at her best when collaborating.

Her Little Willies quasi-countr y band is a creative compromise of genteel country and recently The Fall and …

Featuring included duets with a number of her influential heroes. But last year’s Rome, the much-lauded Burton project that featured Jones with Jack White, fully cemented her collaborative genius. Until then, the perception of her albums had languished in a sort of post-Grammy slump of John Legend-ary proportions. Good, but not great; remote, rote and not quite inviting.

Of course, her 2002 debut was an impressive fete and Come Away With Me has stood, until now, as her best recording. But sophomore slump be damned, sometimes it takes a decade or so to fully realize your promise. And on this, her fifth studio album, she enlists the help of good ol’ Danger Mouse himself for a collection that is sure to propel both artists further into mainstream consciousness.

With hushed, bare-bones accompaniment and tasteful synth-tinges, Burton takes the songs he co-wrote with Jones and adds a discreet touch of his trademark quirk, enabling guitars and keyboards to co-exist with effects for a beguiling confessional. Like Rome, it’s a perfect soundtrack for a fabricated film, and this time Jones is the star.

The album offers twelve pieces that chronicle different aspects of damaged relationships, real and imagined. Beginning with “Good Morning” the inescapable morning-breath of romance is laid bare. On “She’s 22,” the narrator is defiant and determined. “Miriam” is a crime drama with sensual overtones. Even the buoyant “Happy Pills” details a wayward liaison. The dark, 6-minute jazz opus “All a Dream” closes the album with an appropriately somber finale.

WILLIE NELSON – Heroes (Legacy) Willie’s best in years… and he brought some buds!

JM: It’s been a while since Willie’s put out an album free of themes. His last few– his partnerships with Asleep At the Wheel and Wynton Marsalis– while good, seemed to be more about changing things up after 60 or so studio albums than continuing his legacy as one of this country’s greatest musical treasures. Hyperbole aside, you could not build a Mount Rushmore of American musicians without putting his face on it.

Heroes finds Willie writing about what he knows best: heartache, having a good time, Texas and weed. And all is right with the world again. Like just about every album he’s put out since the 70’s, he’s not shy about bringing his friends and family into the studio to help him out. The pairings this time around include many of his longtime friends and collaborators (Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Billie Joe Shaver and Sheryl Crow), his kids (Lukas and Micah) and Snoop Dogg. And before you start shaking your head, Snoop sings just a handful of lines and complements Willie’s equally-laid back, nasal delivery on “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” a song destined PG 20 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

to become yet another anthem for those of us living in Willie Nation.

Along with “Roll Me Up,” Heroes is also notable for “Come on Back Jesus,” which features wry Willie at is best, and his heartbreaking cover of “The Scientist” (leave it to the Red Headed Stranger to finally make Coldplay cool again).

At 78, if anyone has earned some time away from the studio, it’s Mr. Nelson, but thank God it hasn’t dawned on him yet.

MAD STARING EYES – Talking to the Operator (Proper Music) Avetts and Mumfords, step aside JG: What do all these bands have in common: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, Beirut, Avett Brothers, Decembrists, E d w a r d Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and that platinum-selling tribute to finely embossed mediocrity, Mumford and Sons?

They are the most popular practitioners of those genres (indie folk, alt-country, Americana) I lump into one pile entitled “music for falling asleep at Restoration Hardware.” In fact, you can pile all those bands together right now. I have just enough gasoline and matches to give them the send-off they deserve.

All this is pre-amble to make clear just how much contempt I usually have for this kind of music. But then a band like London’s Mad Staring Eyes comes along to wreck all my well-cultivated antipathy. Their new album, Talking to the Operator, sits comfortably in the company of those bands mentioned above. So why does this album warm my curdled blood instead of set it to boil like the others?

Most bands in this vein sound like they proudly tossed out all the records in their collection past 1978. Their “tastefulness” and rootsy “authenticity” are just buzzwords for “joyless reactionary conservatism.” Where Mad Staring Eyes get it wonderfully right are the weird little details running in and out of these traditional-sounding songs. It’s the bursts of de-tuned “Range Life” twang in “Waiting for the Doctor.” It’s the “Jane Says”-referencing guitar cycle at the end of “A Little of What You Got.” It’s the sneaky little shout-outs to heroes like Spiritualized, XTC, Yo La Tengo, Mercury Rev, Teenage Fanclub and Pavement found all through the album. It’s the subtle undertone of world-weary decadence in the vocals, suggesting Lou Reed fronting Fairport Convention after a sleepless weekend binge.

It’s the way the final track “Homing Girl” crescendos to a blissful chorus of aching voices and chiming guitar.

As much as I’d love to see all those bands initially mentioned meet justice in a wall of cleansing fire, instead I’ll just reward the few bands who give the genre a jolt of urgent life.

Mad Staring Eyes, the line starts behind you…

Rest of the Class NANCY GRIFFITH – Intersection (Hello No/Thirty Tigers) Occupy Wall Street provides plenty of inspiration JM: Nearly 35 years into her career, you know what to expect when you put on a Nanci Griffith record. And that is in no way meant to be a taken as a bad thing. Like John Prine, Jerry Jeff

Walker, Guy Clark and a handful of other American songwriters that straddle that line between country and folk, Griffith can always be counted on to turn in a consistently thoughtful collection of Americana tunes and Intersection is no different.

Her twentieth album is a mix of covers – five to be exact - by folks like Loretta Lynn and originals and dig a little bit deeper into personal issues and emotions than her last few releases.

Clearly inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, she has added her voice to the mix of sympathetic musicians siding with the 99% on the gloriously angry protest song “Hell No (I’m Not Alright)”.

The album opens with “Bethlehem Steel,” another ode to the fading PA steel town (and far more appealing than Billie Joel’s “Allentown”), but truth be told there is hardly a week track on the album. Some are easier to catch on than others, but after repeated listens it’s pretty obvious why Griffith has built a reputation as one of the best songwriters of her generation.

GRADE: B GRANVILLE AUTOMATIC – Self-Titled (Self-Released) Alt-country steeped in Southern history BL: Granville Automatic is a duo formed by singersongwriters Elizabeth Elkins (best known as the hard-rocking frontwoman for Atlanta bands such as The Swear and Alastor) and Vanessa Olivarez (best known as a Top 12 finalist on the second season of American Idol).

Together, they’ve formed a band that doesn’t sound much like any of their previous projects, drawing from the annals of Civil War history to spin Southern gothic yarns that resonate emotionally long after the music stops.

Their debut album opens with “Comanche,” a song about a soldier who survives a bloody battle and describes himself as “the only living hero, just an old man with a tale for history.”

“Hazel Creek” is a bit more emotionally resonant, with a melancholy melody, strippeddown arrangement, and an infectious chorus.

On the gospel-inflected “Shores of Maryland,” the a capella approach gives Olivarez a chance to show off her chops, wailing a heartbreaking lament about a young southerner on his/her way to Heaven after being shot. It’s a haunting song that puts Granville Automatic in the same category of alt-country icons like Allison Krauss and Emmylou Harris, and you’ll find yourself wishing there was a lot more where that came from.

If there’s a complaint, it’s that occasionally soporific songwriting (see: “Carolina Amen,” “Copenhill”) combines with straightforward instrumentation to make Granville Automatic seem more like a wannabe Lady Antebellum than the next Gillian Welch. When they introduce dynamic song structures, as they do on “The Groundskeeper” and “Flying Mercury,” the band’s sound soars with beauty and grace.

But then along comes the pedestrian “Tacoma Call Line,” which seems like a bid at accessibility, and washes away the moody mystique their best songs establish so well.

I’ve heard several of these songs in their early incarnations, and great tunes like “Never On A Sunday” and “Blood and Gold” didn’t really need much in the way of gussying up. Elkins and Olivarez are great songwriters and seasoned performers, and they don’t need the gloss of Nashville’s sheen to make ‘em shine. Next time, I’d like to see them, a fiddler, a bassist and a bottle of booze around an old mic, stomping their feet to provide the beat. GRADE: B

ARCHIE POWELL & THE EXPORTS – Great Ideas in Action Good Land Records) Power Pop survives another generation JM: If Cheap Trick ever think of calling it a day (and, after 40 years, it doesn’t look like that will be happening anytime soon), Archie Powell & the Exports are perfectly suited to take their place on the power pop throne.

On Great Ideas in Action, the group’s third record and best release to date, they’ve perfected the 3-minute pop song, with sardonic wit and hooks sharp enough to snag anyone. Along with Cheap Trick, Archie and the boys tend to draw inspiration from folks like Elvis Costello (“Crazy Pills”), Material Issue, The Replacements and plenty of cheap beer.

Their influences aside, the band is far more than simply a glorified cover band, carving out their own deep niche in the genre thanks to smartly funny lyrics (“Shooting Spree” is one of their best). Hell, even the album title is a reference to Calvin & Hobbes. I’m not saying Robin Zander and crew don’t still have it going on, but watch your backs! Archie Powell & The Exports is coming up rather quickly. GRADE: B+ LITTLE RICHARD – Here’s Little Richard (Specialty/Concord) Shine on, you crazy diamond LVS: With the opening pronouncement of “a-wop-bopa-loo-bop…” on his signature tune “Tutti Fruity,” Maconborn Little Richard almost single-handedly invented the archetypical rock and roll record in 1955. If that had been his only hit, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock and roll” would have easily secured a place in any hall of fame. But for a brief period in the late ‘50s, the flamboyant Mr. Penniman’s output was legendary -- and his ground-breaking influences and recordings will forever shape rock, soul and r&b music and inspired many of the biggest stars of any generation.

Over the years, numerous reissues of his work have surfaced but the excellent Here’s Little Richard is his first full-length disc.

Including a number of his early hit singles, it was the first collection of what would eventually comprise many of his greatest hits.

“Slippin’ And Slidin’,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Rip It Up” and “Jenny Jenny” all made their album debut on the original LP. Released in 1957 and recently reissued by Concord Records, the new, deluxe edition stands as the perfect package of the overall best recording from his gloriously erratic career.

Of special interest to collectors is the inclusion of two original demo recordings, produced in his hometown at WMBL-AM. Tame in comparison to the wildly emotive recordings that would soon follow, the two tunes, “Baby” and “All Night Long,” show the raw origins of the young performer’s style -and his polite opening introduction of “Little Richard and the Upsetters” is priceless.

A bonus cut features an edited interview with Specialty’s Art Rupe, speaking about his often-frustrating dealings with Richard, an artist who insisted on doing things his own way, including turning his back on secular music, shortly after Here‘s Little Richard was originally released. “He’s unpredictable,” Rupe says. “He’s like an unfinished diamond.”

GRADE: A

MUSIC

THE LAST LAUGH

When Cartoon Network Puts Underground Hip Hop Icons El-P and Killer Mike

Together, the Results are Seriously Good

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

K

ILLER MIKE IS A HUSKY, BLACK Atlanta MC who’s been reppin’ for the inner city since debuting with Outkast in ’00. El-P is a not-so-husky, white Brooklyn producer/MC who’s been loved in alternative hip hop circles since coming out with Company Flow in ’96. To the naked eye, linking these two strangers for a project might seem a bit odd. But to the creative minds at Cartoon Network’s Williams Street Records, the move made perfect sense. And after hearing the newfound friends’ riotsparking joint effort, R.A.P. Music, you’ll most definitely agree. INsite caught up with El-P, the project’s sole producer, to talk R.A.P., rap in general and all the rapping he’s doing on his fifth solo CD, Cancer4Cure.

What was the experience like with Mike?

I mean, I went down to Atlanta for a week, basically, to meet Mike and to get in the studio and just to see, what our vibe was. When I went down there, I wasn’t down to do the whole album because I was making my record. I was like, I’ll do as much as I can. I’ll do like 3-4 cuts or something. And I went down there and like the vibe between us was just so amazing and we got in there the first day and he did his “Big Beast” verse. The vibe was so good with us that Mike basically didn’t write more than a few words down for this whole album. All of a sudden, it was just happening.

It was pretty clear from the beginning that we had something special. There was just like an energy there from the first moment we went in the studio.

When a fan listens to R.A.P. Music, what is your production saying? What are people going to get from your beats when

they hear this album?

Beyond being a great producer and a dope I think that there’s just an electricity about MC, man, what else do you love? it. We wanted to go for something that was Um…there’s other stuff? Oh, you mean I’m exciting. I think you’re gonna feel things that remind you of something that you love about supposed to have a life? hip hop music. Something that maybe you Yes, you are supposed to have a life beyond loved even earlier in your life about hip hop the boards. music. But it’s not a throwback record. We Right, right. I mean, look man, I probjust tried to make a record that was based on ably have the same interests as anyone else. the energy and the excitement of all those I mean, I’m trying to just classic rap records that we grew up listening to. EVERY TIME I PUT A RECORD OUT, live, you know. Spend this Everything from Scarface IT’S EVERYTHING THAT I AM AT lifetime and live life outside THE TIME. AND I THINK THAT’S of the fuckin’ grind, the to Ice Cube to Public WHY IT TAKES ME A LONG TIME slave mechanism of everyEnemy to BDP [Boogie TO PUT THE RECORDS OUT. I JUST day society. I’m an artist. I Down Productions] to Outkast. There were a lot TRY TO PUT SOMETHING RAW, AND love music. I love art. I’m of records that just raised FUNKY AND HEARTFELT OUT AND a record collector. I’m like JUST THROW IT OUT THERE AND a lot of people, man. I’m the hair on the back of JUST TRY TO MAKE A GENUINE just a guy who is basically our neck, in a good way, PIECE OF ART, MAN. lucky enough to kind of be that gave us energy. That able to take all of my weird made us excited. And little pursuits and all the things that interest that’s what we tried to go for. me, and I’ve just been able to sort of remain Yeah, you did that, my friend. Now, with this a child in my imagination to a degree, you experience with a brilliant Atlanta MC, has know? And I think I love what everyone else loves, which is freedom, you know? And that’s this opened the door for other southern artthe thing that I’m most grateful for. To be able ists to work with you? to do this music is to be able to live the way Well, the thing is that the door had always I want to live and not have to compromise. I been opened. I’m a lifelong fan of rap music. don’t know if that really tells you that much I grew up on Geto Boys and Scarface, if you about me. I know that is broad stokes. I love can consider that southern. Bun B and Underground Kings and the like. I think that this everything that a regular motherfucker loves, you know? record is bridging or maybe knocking down some sort of perceived division. I think the artists themselves, people like me and Mike, we’re never closed off. We listen to everything. I think that there has been [division] in the past, and I think that these lines are starting to erode now. Hip hop is in a good place where a record like this can even help seal the deal.

What else is on tap for you in 2012?

I mean, you know, me and Mike are both releasing our albums one week from each other, and then we’re going on tour. We’re hitting the road. It’s gonna be me, Killer Mike, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire and Despot. We’re gonna hit North America hard. Then we’re going out to Europe. You know, so just a lot of touring. And then me and Mike are talking about getting right back into the studio again, really. That’s our next shit. We kind of have a different idea of what we want to do for the next one. We might even do a record with me and Mike both rapping together.

What aspect of your project, Cancer4Cure, are you most proud of?

Hey, man, I mean, look, every time I put a record out, it’s everything that I am at the time.

And I think that’s why it takes me a long time to put the records out. I just try to put something raw, and funky and heartfelt out and just throw it out there and just try to make a genuine piece of art, man. And as far as what anyone takes it as, I feel that is kind of out of my hands. My job is just to do the best that I can. Because I have a production career and I do other things, [recording is] not always my primary source. I take my time with my records and just kind of throw convention to the wind and I just try to make something that I think is the best that I can do at the time. I just hope that it talks to people or gives them a feeling that they’re looking for.

12-15

JULY 2012

NBAF @ CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK PRESENTED BY

The InTernaTIonaL MarkeTpLace July 12-15: Featuring vendors, artists and artisans from around the world The InTernaTIonaLLY-accLaIMed chILdren’s edUcaTIon VILLage: Destination afrika anD BeyonD Friday, July 13: 10 am – 4 pm, for camps and groups only, pre-registration is required. saturday-sunday, July 14-15: 12 noon – 4 pm

nBaF MUsIc sTage @ cenTennIaL oLYMpIc park July 13-15: Three days of unforgettable music. Visit nBaF.org for the full lineup. pUBLIx heaLThY cookIng paVILIon offering free healthy cooking demonstrations, tastings and do-it-yourself tricks. nBaF @ centennial olympic park is Free and open to the public, so come spend the weekend with us.

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insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 21 5/29/12 11:44:34 PM

MUSIC

ADRENALIZE / REVITALIZE Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell talks Rock of Ages Tour

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

D

EF LEPPARD’S VIVIAN CAMPBELL is a one-man walking encyclopedia of British Rock and Heavy Metal.

The Northern Irish guitarist-singer-songwriter has been active since the late ‘70s as a pivotal member of a number of the most influential bands of the vaunted New Wave Of British Metal movement. His first band, Sweet Savage, was a direct influence on Metallica and he has enjoyed successful stints in Dio, Whitesnake, and even a revival of one of his own personal influences, Thin Lizzy.

For the past twenty years, he’s been featured as “the new guy” in the popular pop-metal Leppard, and it seems he‘s settled into the role effortlessly. Speaking from his home in Los Angeles, the witty musician spoke with Insite before gearing up for the “Rock Of Ages” tour that brings him -- along with kindred-spirit tour-mates Poison and former guitarist-singer of the Runaways, Lita Ford -to Lakewood Amphitheatre on June 29.

This summer’s tour is a real plate-spinner with a Def Leppard song as the title track to a major movie. Is it based on the song?

We are shameless exploiting the connection with the movie, and why not, you know?

Well, the movie is called “Rock Of Ages” and its based upon the Broadway play, which features two of our songs so we figured it’s legitimate enough to hitch our wagon to that.

Have you seen the movie?

Last year when we were on tour, they were

shooting some of it in Miami, Florida. We had a day off there so we went by the set.

It was a perfect coincidence because when we got there it was the day that Tom Cruise sings [the massive Def Leppard hit] “Pour Some Sugar On Me” in the movie. We got to watch Tom do his thing and we got to meet him. It was pretty exciting!

There’s been a ton of movies that co-op familiar rock songs, for better or worse. It must have been a weird concept to think of Tom Cruise singing your song.

We, as musical artists, were very impressed with what they did with it. We were especially impressed with how Tom handled the music. He actually sang the songs really, really well.

We were talking to him afterwards and he said that he’d spent about seven or eight months, taking voice lessons, studying music and learning how to sing!

He’s very dedicated to his craft, there’s no doubt about that. I guess that’s why they pay him 20 million dollars a movie!

Have you seen the final cut?

I haven’t. I was invited to a screening last week but I couldn’t go because I had my kids with me. But I know [guitarist] Phil Collen

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and [drummer] Rick Allen went and they were ravin’ about it.

And there’s a Poison song in the film, too.

We wanted to tour with another band that had a song in the movie, and Poison do, so that worked out.

We actually toured with them a few years ago, so it’s a little bit déjà vu. We tried to get another band who was also in the movie; we tried to get Journey and Foreigner.

We were trying to get a three-band package where every band was involved with the movie, but we’ve got Lita Ford who isn’t in the movie but she’s great.

Have you worked with her before?

I first met her very briefly when I came to L.A. with Ronnie Dio. I’m sure she doesn’t remember, but I was very aware of the Runaways. We did a bunch of shows with Joan Jett, maybe a decade ago, but this will be a first with Lita Ford.

You mentioned Dio and fans love your contributions to his classic records. But you’ve been a bit vocal about being quite dissatisfied with the time you spent in Dio. On a personal level, it was bittersweet. I had a very poor relationship with Ronnie Dio and his wife/manager Wendy. I was very proud of the music I made with Dio; the first three albums and the songs I wrote and the parts I played.

Looking back, how do you see that period now? Dio was huge around the same time as “Rock Of Ages” was a hit back in ‘83.

Well, strangely enough, it all started this past January when a band called Steel Panther did some shows with Def Leppard in the UK. They invited me to play with them at a House of Blues show. They were big Dio fans and they said, “Do you want to do ‘Rainbow In The Dark’?” I hadn’t played that song in 27 years so it was a bit of a challenge in itself. But it was so much fun to play guitar like that again, it got me so excited, I actually called Vinnie Appice, Jimmy Bain, and Claude Schnell, the other original Dio band guys. Got together and played with ‘em for an afternoon. One thing leads to another. Now, we are actually talking about going out and playing again, finding a singer and playing from those first albums.

A couple of generations of fans will be excited to see those songs played live, by the actual band.

Exactly. I think there’s a legitimacy to it, too. Obviously it’s not going to be Ronnie Dio singing, but in a way it’s a tribute to his legacy and to our legacy, too. Nobody plays those songs better than us, so…

Speaking of legacy, you recently played with the reformed Thin Lizzy I was the stunt guitarist! I only did about three months with them and then I had to go back to my day job.

As a fan, how did it feel to basically recreate that band?

It was a huge thrill for me. My first band, Sweet Savage opened for Lizzy many times, maybe 40 or 50. It was fun and great to play those songs again.

And it continues your pattern of joining bands that already have a catalog of hits and a history: Whitesnake and even Def Leppard, too. You come in and revitalize the existing projects.

I’m very fortunate to be able to work with all these bands. Part of me wishes that Sweet Savage had stuck it out and been successful. We were close. Part of me wonders what would have happened if my band, the one I formed when I was 15, had gone all the way, you know? The other side of the equation is I’ve been able to be part of bands and take them to, as you say, to a new dimension.

What is the state of Def Leppard today? Roles change within any band, certainly one that has been around for three decades.

We get along good. We respect each other, as musicians. It’s not like we’re best buddies and we go on camping trips together when we’re not touring. But the one thing that has never changed about the band is there’s a collective ego, a gang mentality.

The music is the important thing with us; it’s not about the individuals, so we always capitulate to that. The work ethic in this band is beyond reproach. When it comes to writing the songs, the sleeves get rolled up.

It’s hard work but its paid dividends.

Def Leppard, Poison and Lita Ford play Friday, June 29, 7 pm at Aaron’s Amphitheatre. Rock Of Ages opens in theaters nationwide on June 15.

MUSIC

STILL A BELIEVER

A chat with Micky Dolenz of The Monkees

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

S

PRING OF 1967 WAS A TIME OF GREAT UPHEAVAL. The Summer Of Love was just ahead and psychedelia was poised to spin the minds of a restless generation into a tye-dyed somnambulism. It was also the time when The Monkees were at their peak, with a hit TV show and two hugely successful albums to their credit. At this point, they were selling more records than The Beatles or Rolling Stones. “I’m A Believer was still a massive radio hit and to close out the end of the more innocent era, The Monkees released their landmark LP, Headquarters. The album was a defiant statement from Micky Dolenz, David Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, finally playing their own songs and instruments. It represented their transition from a manufactured image of commerce to a real-life band with commercial and critical success. It immediately went to number one on the charts but was displaced the following week by The Beatles’ masterpiece “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Yet it endured, remaining at number two for nearly three months.

On the exact 45th anniversary of Headquarters’ release date, and just back from an emotional weekend of filling in for the late David Jones at the former Monkee’s annual Epcot gig in Orlando, Dolenz was in good spirits. He spoke at length with Insite on a variety of topics, including this summer’s Happy Together tour which brings him to Georgia twice in June.

You’re just back from Epcot, filling in for David’s planned weekend of shows there. That must have been a very special series of shows and a bit emotional, as well.

It was tough. It was kinda weird; we debated if I should do it when they first came up with the offer. But the fans found out about it and they basically inundated Disney and my websites with requests. So there was this groundswell of support. There was a section of each show where I dedicated it to David and his memory. So all-in-all, I think it came off pretty well.

This was the first time that you’ve actually filled in for him, regardless of the situation.

Yeah and I think it’s about the only one, too. But over the years, we crossed paths many times as solo acts and worked together many times, of course.

Last year’s very successful Monkees tour opened here in Atlanta at Chastain last June. It was the best Monkees show I’ve ever seen.

Oh you saw it? I was very proud of that show and I loved that we did all of the songs from [the Monkees’ film] “Head.”

That was one of the better shows that we’ve done, I think.

That was a two and a half hour show! I was impressed by the Springsteen-esque length of it.

I was too! But there’s so much good material, so many great

songs. We’ve always had that problem when we put together a show. Because there were so many hits, so many album cuts, it comes down to: what do you not play?

How do you decide?

Quite a few of the songs are a given, the real big hits, like “Clarkesville,” “I’m A Believer,” “Steppin’ Stone” and “Daydream Believer.” And over the years, fans have requested certain songs, so you start building up a sort of library of stuff. David was very good at song lists, song selection. That was one of his strengths. He was great at pacing the show.

You go way back with the whole Happy Together tour ensemble.

Yes! These are all people that I’ve known and played with for decades. And I gotta tell ya, its so much fun and so easy and stress-free going out with these guys. I bring my own guitar player and musical director, Wayne Avers. And I play acoustic guitar. Actually, we’re coming down to Georgia, somewhere near Atlanta, to rehearse for the tour.

This has nothing to do with the tour, but you were actually in a film with [former ‘70s porn star and subject of a controversial upcoming biopic] Linda Lovelace.

Yeah, it was a number of years after her famous, you know, films. But there was a guy named David Winters who had worked on the Monkees show as a choreographer and a director. He was trying to sort of reinvent her as a comic, a sexy comedian girl. So he wrote a script [“Linda Lovelace For President”] and he got a bunch of actors and comics, including Chuck McCann and myself, to come on board to be in this comedy romp film. Obviously it wasn’t X-rated or anything. These days it would be considered pretty tame.

Let’s talk about the Monkees’ continuing exclusion from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It’s a sore topic with a lot of people.

I’ve never been one to chase awards or inductions. I just go out and do what I do and if those things happen, that’s fine.

But the thing with the Hall of Fame is, it’s a private club. It’s not a public, democratic institution that represents the entire industry, like the National Football Hall Of Fame does. It was set up and organized by two or three people as a private club and they have the right to let in anyone they want. It’s a great organization and I’ve done some charity work for the foundation, but like any club, its their prerogative.

Personnel usually wasn’t listed on those albums. And the kids who bought the records didn’t care.

No, back then people didn’t pay attention to who played what, or even to the writers. Until I got into the Monkees or was a teenager into rock and roll, I didn’t pay attention to who wrote the songs, that was just the tiny writing in the middle of the record.

Headquarters specifically mentions in the liner notes there are a couple of other people playing -- and under your direction.

What’s next after this tour?

If we’d been asked, if we’d had any control over the music I have some solo shows I’m already booking and there are before that, we’d have insisted that even at that time, but some offers for musical theater, which as you know, I’ve been we didn’t. We had absolutely nothing to say about anything. doing a lot of over the last few years. There’s some interest And that’s what the ‘palace revolt’ was about. It wasn’t in me doing a show in the West End and some on Broadway, that we wanted to write and sing so we’ll just have to see how that and play every single note on every IT WASN’T THAT WE WANTED TO works out. single record. We just wanted to have WRITE AND SING AND PLAY EVERY something to say about it! We didn’t SINGLE NOTE ON EVERY SINGLE What about another Monkees even have anything to say about the tour? Without Davy, could the RECORD. WE JUST WANTED TO HAVE artwork or the liner notes; absolutely band still be called The Monkees SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT! WE nothing, until Headquarters. at this point?

DIDN’T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY Good point. Who knows? I just And then the very next week, Sgt ABOUT THE ARTWORK OR THE LINER think it’s a little early to speculate NOTES; ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, UNTIL Pepper’s comes along and pushes your on that. That’s down the road a record from number one to a very HEADQUARTERS. bit to know what could happen, or respectable number two. You were what would happen. actually there when the Beatles did part of that record, right?

Since today is the anniversary, I really do want to talk about That was a pretty interesting time, I must say. Yes, I was the Headquarters album. That was your emancipation away there when they were doing the tracks for “Good Morning, from producer/tyrannical dictator Don Kershner.

Good Morning” and a couple of other ones, too. I was there Like Mike says, “It’s when Pinocchio became a real little for the finale, the big piano chord at the end. boy.” One of the fondest memories I have is recording that album. Not only the fact that we’d fought to get the rights to How did the Beatles’ sessions differ from the Monkees do it ourselves, but it was also great fun. We’d been playing sessions’ at the time? together for a long time on the road by the point.

It was quite similar. Four guys, in the studio, all alone.

With the engineer and George Martin, and in our case Chip And by now the tired old “Monkees don’t play on their [Douglas] and the engineer, just sitting there writing and records” issue has been settled by history. Many bands had playing -- for days and days on end. extra players.

Have you ever heard of the Wrecking Crew? Well I knew Happy Together, a package tour featuring Micky Dolenz, that they [a close-knit batch of studio musicians] were playing The Turtles, Gary Puckett, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots on all the Beach Boys records, the Byrds records, The Mama’s opens June 8 in Columbus at the River Center and returns to and Papa’s records, Paul Revere and the Raiders records. So I Georgia on June 16 for a show in Hiawassee at the Anderson Music didn’t think much of it at the time.

Hall. Visit www.mickydolenz.com for more details. insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 23

r e m m u S Guide 2012

FILM FESTIVALS

2012 COCA-COLA SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL

The Fox Theatre kicks off the 2012 CocaCola Summer Film Festival in June with three Oscar-winning films: Casablanca (June 14 @ 7:30pm), The Godfather (June 15 @ 7:30pm) and The Sound of Music (June 24 @ 2pm). The screenings celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Casablanca and the 40th Anniversary of The Godfather.

The Fox will also present the Sing-a-Long Sound of Music special event. This will be a screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical in glorious, full-screen Technicolor, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along.

The fun-filled show starts with a vocal warm-up led by the evening’s host, who also takes the audience through their complimentary ‘magic moments pack’, containing various props to be used at strategic points throughout the film.

Come early and join in a favorite Atlanta tradition of the Fox Theatre’s magical preshow experience featuring Larry Douglas Embury at the “Mighty Mo” organ, the tradition of a sing-a-long and a classic cartoon. Movie tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Tickets will be available at the Fox Theatre Box Office and at Ticketmaster outlets, 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com. All tickets are general admission. Additional films in the 2011 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival to be shown in July and August will be announced later in the summer. Visit www.foxtheatre.org for more information.

FLICKS ON 5TH Flicks on 5th, now in their 7th season is the longest running summer outdoor film series in Atlanta. The series kicks off June 6th an takes place every Wednesday night in June in the heart of Georgia Tech’s Technology Square (Spring St. and 5th St.). Pre-movie entertainment begins PG 24 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

at 7pm with activities themed around each movie. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets but leave coolers, umbrellas and pets at home. Hourly parking is available in the surface lot at 5th and Spring Streets across from Barnes & Noble and the parking deck adjacent to the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center on Spring Street. This year’s schedule: Mission Impossible 4 (June 6), The Vow (June 13), Footloose (June 20) and Happy Feet 2 (June 27). Visit www.flickson5th.net for more information.

while the other puts on a pair of trousers and joins them, making for a raucous, rocking good time. Also taking place this summer is William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Importance of Being Earnest. Tickets are only $10. To purchase in advance call the Box Office at 404-504-1473 or visit www.gashakespeare. org for more details.

DECATUR BEACH PARTY

ATLANTIC STATION MOVIES IN THE PARK

feature 60,000 runners competing in one of the country’s best known 10K races.

The race, which starts at Lenox Square, once again has its finish line at Piedmont Park in Midtown. Race time is at 7:30 AM so get up early to line-up along Peachtree and cheer on the runners. For more information on how to volunteer go to www.peachtreeroadrace.org

ASO

Atlantic Station’s outdoor summer movie series, Movies in the Park, is offering free movie screenings each Thursday in their Central Park through August 23.

Moviegoers can also enjoy meal deals each week from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. from a variety of Atlantic Station restaurants.

Movie screenings will begin at dusk. Pets are welcome. The June schedule: The Muppets (June 7);The Help (June 14); The Lincoln Lawyer (June 21) and Spiderman (June 28). Visit www.atlanticstation.com for full schedule.

CHASTAIN PARK SUMMER MOVIE SERIES This new movie series takes place at sunset every Thursday in July at the Hill Top Meadow Green Lot at Chastain Park.

Offerings from food trucks and beer will be available. This year’s line-up consists of: The Artist (July 5th), Mirror Mirror (July 12), Letters from Juliet (July 19) and Breakfast at Tiffany’s (July 26).

LOCAL EVENTS

GEORGIA SHAKESPEARE SUMMER FESTIVAL June 6 – August 5 at the Conant Performing Arts Center on the Oglethorpe campus. llyria: a Twelfth Night Musical is cross-dressing Shakespeare style!

An assumed identity sets off a comedy of errors in this eclectic adaptation of Shakespeare’s most musical play from the creator of 2010’s smash hit Shrew: the Musical. Two different women grieve the loss of a brother; one swears off men,

On Friday, June 15 from 5pm – 11pm, Decatur brings in 60 tons of sand and turns the square into a beach for this annual event. Dance in the streets to the beach music from the live band.

Headlining the main stage this year is Yacht Rock Schooner. Activities include children’s boardwalk games, face painting, wading pools in the sand and more. Adult tickets can be purchased in advance online for $7 ($10 at the gate); children 3-12 years old are $5. Admission price includes all games and activities. No coolers, glass or pets allowed. Sponsored by Decatur Business Association. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser benefit downtown improvement projects. Visit www. decaturdba.com for more information.

All-American Celebration On July 4 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, features Tony Award-winning Broadway vocalist Debbie Gravitte, the US Army Chorus, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in patriotic sing-alongs, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and a postconcert fireworks display. Single tickets for these performances are $15 to $35. All single tickets for the 2012 summer season are on sale now, and available online at www.vzwamp.com or by calling (404) 733-5000.

4TH OF JULY AT LENOX SQUARE

ATLANTA SUMMER BEER FEST The Atlanta Summer Beer Fest returns to the Masquerade Music Park Saturday June 23 from 4 – 9pm for the third 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 are $35 in advance and $45 the day of the event. Tickets are now on sale at www. atlantabeerfestivals.com

PEACHTREE ROAD RACE The 43rd annual Peachtree Road Race, a Fourth of July Atlanta tradition, will

Everyone is invited to Lenox Square to experience Atlanta’s historic celebration.

For over half a century, Lenox Square has celebrated in grand tradition with activities for the entire family, including games for children, musical entertainment, food concessions and the largest fireworks display in the Southeast. Carnival opens for a full-day of family fun at 10 a.m., Musical entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and the fireworks scheduled to begin at approximately 9:40 p.m. Admission is free. www.lenoxsquare.com

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK LASERSHOW State-of the-art digital graphics and

awe-inspiring effects create multidimensional magic on one of the world’s largest outdoor screens, Stone Mountain.

The Laser Canopy creates a dazzling display of neon laser lights featuring characters, stories, graphics and fireworks choreographed to popular musical scores, transforming the park into a natural amphitheater. The new show is enhanced with digital projection that adds 3-D like effects without the glasses. The show runs nightly into the fall and is free with $10.00 vehicle entrance to Stone Mountain Park.

Visitors may bring blankets and lawn chairs. For more information call 770-498-5690 or visit www. stonemountainpark.com.

NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL

Mardy Fish battled John Isner for the second year in a row in the final.

While both matches went to a third set, Fish cruised easily 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-2 in the third set.

In 2010 he won the crown in a third-set tiebreak. This year John Isner returns to challenge top ranked players including Andy Roddick and Jack Sock. Visit www.bbtatlantaopen. com or call 866-840-8822 for tickets and information.

arts experience. In addition to illuminate, six Flags Over Georgia will debut Pop40, a musical showcase of hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s and Rhythm & Grooves, an R&B music show that pays tribute to legends like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin.

Both shows run through August 12.

For more information visit sixflags.com/ overgeorgia

TITANIC THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION

Now Featuring Never-Before-Seen

100Artifacts! years later, Titanic is back and in CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER Atlanta at Atlantic Station! Take in this SUMMER SPLASH unique experience while it is in town while viewing more than 200 artifacts recovered.

Make a splash at the coolest event The Exhibition has been created with a focus this summer Saturday, July 28 in Sandy on Titanic’s compelling human stories told Springs. The float begins at 9am at the Morgan Falls Dam just 10 minutes north of through authentic artifacts and exacting Join the 2012 National Black Arts re-creations of the Ship’s interior. Delicate Festival (NBAF) at Centennial Park, July 12 Atlanta and winds down to Powers Island. bottles of perfume, the logo Travel via kayak, canoe or raft down this Ticketschina On Salebearing Now! - 15, as they kick off their annual Summer six-mile journey of the Chattahoochee of the elite White Star Line, and many other festival. Shop over 100 vendors, artists objects collected from the wreck site offer River. Call 678-538-1280 to register or go and artisans from around the world in the TitanicAtlanta.com poignant connections to lives abruptly ended to www.visitsandysprings.org for International Marketplace. Families and or forever changed by one of the world’s more information. children will enjoy hand-on, interactive greatest maritime tragedies. The Artifact activities, live youth performances PRESENTEDandBY Exhibition takes visitors on a journey DRAGON*CON the child-size replica of Dr. Martin Luther through the life of Titanic and is appropriate Dragon*Con KingThe Jr.’s InTernaTIonaL boyhood home. The NBAF nBaF MUsIc sTage @ MarkeTpLace for all ages. For more information visit www. returns to Main Music Stage features three days of cenTennIaL oLYMpIc park July 12-15: Featuring vendors, artists titanicatlanta.com Atlanta for unforgettable music.

This year’s Gala July 13-15: Three days of unforgettable and artisans from around the world 4 Daysmusic. this Visit nBaF.org for the full lineup. event honors the legendary actress Ruby Labor Day DeeThe July InTernaTIonaLLY-accLaIMed 14th at The St. Regis Atlanta. pUBLIx heaLThY cookIng paVILIon edUcaTIon VILLage: Weekend For chILdren’s more information or to purchase offering Destination afrika anD BeyonD August 31 – free healthy cooking demonstrations, tickets, visit www.nbaf.org. tastings and do-it-yourself tricks.

Friday, July 13: 10 am – 4 pm, for September camps and groups THE MATRIX LIVE only, pre-registration3. Located nBaF @ centennial olympic park is required. in the Hyatt is Free and open to the public, so come Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton saturday-sunday, July 14-15: spend the weekend with us.

Atlanta, Atlanta Sheraton, and the Westin 12 noon – 4 pm Peachtree Plaza Hotel, DragonCon and its 30,000+ attendees will almost literally GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AND TAKE TO THE FESTIVAL take over downtown Atlanta. Among the highlights are the DragonCon Parade, a sea of merchandise vendors, panels and programming on virtually any pop culture topic you could think of, live The Matrix Live brings the Oscarmusic, late night dances and a Walk of winning film to Atlanta Symphony Hall on Saturday July 14 in an outstanding musical Fame, where most media guests will be and visual experience. This live film concert signing autographs. Ed Asner, Dean Cain, Adam Baldwin and Patrick Stewart are combines visionary science fiction imagery just a few of the dozens of celebrities with the sound of the Atlanta Symphony slated to attend this year’s extravaganza.

Orchestra. The Matrix is a science-fiction Connect with us: Tickets are $105 through July 13 and $120 action film starring Keanu Reeves that was thereafter. For more information, visit released in 1999. In the film, Reeves plays www.dragoncon.org. a computer programmer named Neo who discovers the “reality” in which he lives is actually a simulated world designed by NBAF12_InSite.indd 1 5/29/12 11:44:34 PM SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA sentient machines to subdue the human ILUMINATE population. Neo garners support from Six Flags Over Georgia brings the other people who have been freed from this spectacular dance-in-the-dark show alternate reality and launches an uprising iLuminate as seen on “America’s Got against the machines. No one can be told Talent” to its theme park this summer. what The Matrix is… You must see it for The show is the world’s first fullyourself. For ticket information call 404733-5000 or visit www.atlantasymphony.org production performance featuring acclaimed technology. It combines state BB&T ATLANTA OPEN of the art light up costumes with 12 The 2012 BB&T Atlanta Open returns electrifying entertainers who perform in July 14 – 22 to Atlantic Station. Last year the dark to create the ultimate performing

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JULY 2012

NBAF @ CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK

ConnectingCommunities

For a limited engagement, Atlanta will become one of eight host cities to commemorate Titanic’s centennial anniversary with Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Featuring over 200 real artifacts recovered from the ocean floor along with room re-creations and personal stories, the Exhibition is an unprecedented opportunity to travel back in time and experience the wonder and tragedy of this ill-fated Ship.

265 18th Street, Atlanta, GA 30363 | Across from Publix, Atlantic Drive 2nd Floor, Elevator 5 For official Titanic merchandise, please visit: thetitanicstore.com TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TICKETMASTER.COM AND AT ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS. TO CHARGE TICKETS BY PHONE, CALL (800) 745-3000.

BODIES…THE EXHIBITION Located at the Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station, BODIES The Exhibition, which features actual human specimens, takes visitors through galleries providing an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body. Visitors will gain a once in a lifetime understanding of how elaborate and fascinating the body truly is. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bodiestheexhibition.com

ZOO ATLANTA Enjoy over 1,000 of the world’s most amazing animals, and take full advantage of exciting daily activities like keeper talks, training demonstrations, wildlife shows, and up-close-and-personal animal encounters. Also happening this summer at Zoo Atlanta are Wild Encounters behind the scenes tours, Summer Safari Day Camp, and Members Only Nights.

Visit www.zooatlanta.org for details.

Heavy metal heartthrob and reality star newbie brings his act to Peachtree City. amphitheatre.org

NBAF.org

AREA ATTRACTIONS

insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 25

MUSIC

AUTOMATIC, FOR THE PEOPLE How An American Idol Finalist & An Atlanta Rocker Formed One Of Alt-Country’s Coolest Acts

BY BRET LOVE

side, FL’s “Escape To Create” program; and will be writing their second album– telling stories of Civil War landscapes threatened by land development– and doing field recordings on battlefields for a project with the Civil War Trust this year. We recently sat down to discuss the band’s love of the past, busy present and promising future.

S

INGER-SONGWRITER Elizabeth Elkins was previously best known as the hard-rocking frontwoman for Atlanta bands such as The Swear and Alastor. Singer-songwriter Vanessa Olivarez was previously best known as a Top 12 finalist on the second season of American Idol. Together, they’ve You’re from very different musical formed Granville Automatic, crafting backgrounds. How did you come to a unique alt-country sound that blazes work together? creative trails miles away from Nashville’s Elizabeth Elkins: I’ve known Vanessa current bumper crop of slick, cookie cutfor 8 or 9 years. I’d been going to Nashter artists. ville to co-write for country artists and This isn’t Olivarez’s first foray into needed someone to sing demos, so we had country music’s waters: The Texas native reached out to each other a few times. co-wrote three songs for Sugarland, and The Swear was in a lull and Vanessa was fronted a band called South 70 for three years. But Granville Automatic is cut from starting a new band. I got together with them and brought a an entirely different THE GREAT THING ABOUT few of my more councloth, recalling artists try songs, but we soon WRITING ABOUT HISTORY IS ranging from Johnny realized that the band Cash to modern acts like THAT YOU NEVER EVER RUN wasn’t the right fit. We Emmylou Harris and OUT OF MATERIAL. THE WORLD decided to just write Gillian Welch. Lyrically, songs together for a IS A HUGE ENCYCLOPEDIA, AND their haunting songs draw from the annals of YOU CAN LOOK ANYWHERE IN while: We wrote 50 or Civil War history, spin- THE PAST TO DIG THROUGH ALL 60 in the first 6 or 7 months. That’s how it ning Southern gothic all started.

THESE AMAZING STORIES. yarns that resonate emotionally long after Vanessa, when you were on American the music stops.

Even before they released their debut al- Idol, did you know this was the type of music you wanted to make? bum, the band was steadilybuilding buzz.

Vanessa Olivarez: My uncle Phil was They recorded a Live At Sun Studios; were into Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, named Composers In Residence for Seaso I grew up with old school country.

When I was on Idol, I didn’t think about what I really wanted to do. I just wanted to sing. The problem is that I’m really nervous on stage. I’m not really an entertainer, and running around the stage like a rock star doesn’t look natural on me.

Granville Automatic is great because I get to sit and sing, and Elizabeth gets to talk.

I just want to share songs with people, and that’s it.

What can you tell us about your debut album?

EE: We went to Nashville, rented a studio and got almost to the end of it, but we both had this nagging feeling that it just didn’t feel right. It felt a little too Nashville, if you know what I’m saying. So we ended up going to L.A. to make an old country record.

Tell me about the Composers in Residence program.

EE: We feel overwhelmed by the prestigious honor. Last year, the person that got it was a classical trombone player from Prague or something! As we started digging further into history, people started telling us Civil War stories after our shows. I’m looking forward to having time

to work through all the ideas. It’s only been in the last couple of years that I realized that the Edgewood Shopping Center off of Moreland Avenue is where the bulk of the fighting in the Battle of Atlanta happened. A lot of history has been lost, and with it being the 150th anniversary of the war I think there is a lot to be said about it.

What fascinates you so much about using history as a launching pad for your creative ideas?

VO: The great thing about writing about history is that you never ever run out of material. The world is a huge encyclopedia, and you can look anywhere in the past to dig through all these amazing stories.

Not all of our songs are Civil War-related, but I would say 85-90% are about history.

We have a couple of typical relationship songs, but they’re not as much fun to write. It’s been a fantastic learning experience for me. It’s a way to help preserve history through song, and to hopefully spark something in other people to help preserve these battlefields that are at risk. I would rather see a beautiful open field with so much history than another Wal Mart…

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FROM METAL TO BLOODSHOT Singer-Songwriter Cory Branan Speaks From The Trenches

BY JOHN B. MOORE

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T’S A LITTLE MISLEADING TO SAY THAT John Prine saved Cory Branan from a life of bad death metal bands… but it’s not exactly wrong, either.

Branan, a Mississippi-bred folk rocker, was sentenced to a life of basement shows playing “wank guitar” (his words) in metal bands before he expanded his influences and discovered punk rock, which eventually led to folk. The legendary Prine became one of his new heroes as Branan switched off the amp and put away the distortion pedal in an effort to make room for his acoustic guitar.

Over the next few years he turned in a couple of brilliant, if little heard, albums, and now he’s back with quite possibly his best yet. Branan spoke with us recently about going into the studio before signing to a label, working with American Music Club’s Tim Mooney and the brilliance of John Prine.

You recorded this latest record without a label lined up. Were you apprehensive at all about that?

(Laughs) Was no more apprehensive than usual with recording. I’m playing it by ear out here, especially since music “industry” as anyone knew it is dead and is shape-shifting through an amorphous blob phase. An exciting, frustrating, potentially revolutionary amorphous blob.

How long had you been working on the songs that made this record? While you’re at it, what can you tell me about the album?

I don’t get to record as often as I’d like, so some of these songs were pulled from the stacks. One

in particular (“Darken My Door”) is from when I first began writing about 10 years ago. Looking through all the songs in light of the newer ones I noticed a narrative that I wouldn’t have had the perspective to organize from the trenches. This record is definitely more purposefully organized thematically than my last record (12 Songs), which was titled to suggest just that– a batch of songs. We recorded and mixed at Closer studios in San Francisco with American Music Club’s Tim Mooney engineering.

Was this your first time working with Tim Mooney?

It was my first time to meet and work with Tim. He’s a killer engineer, and a great drummer.

He was originally going to play drums on the entire record. But we ended up getting a heavy named Dave Douglas on drums, which freed Tim up to work his studio black magic.

Any other guests on this record?

We’ve got the amazingly strange and wonderful horns of Ralph Carney [best known for his long association with Tom Waits] on three tracks.

Even though we recorded in San Francisco, with the exception of the vocals I did at Ardent in Memphis, I still sent tracks back to piano player Rick Steff [Lucero, Hank Williams Jr., etc] to sprinkle on a little Memphis dirt.

You recorded this album before committing to a label, ultimately signing with Bloodshot Records. When we last spoke you said the best you could hope for was, “a modest workhorse label with their ear to the ground and their feet to the fire.” Do these guys fit that description?

If any label fits that description, it’s Bloodshot.

I know other artists that have been on the label quite a while and, speaking from their experience, it’s a label that walks the talk. I’m truly stoked to be working with them.

Is it true that John Prine saved you from the heavy metal life? I’ve actually talked to a number of musicians who have similar stories. What was it about his music that appealed to you?

(Laughs) It wasn’t as cut and dried as turning from one type of music to another.

All my metal days were when I was a wank guitarist in my teens in local death metal and thrash bands in Mississippi. Growing up in Mississippi,you sort of take music as you can get it– Iron Maiden, Fugazi, Eazy-E, Guns-N-Roses… it was all equally revelatory at the time. Anything that wasn’t the gospel, country, rockabilly, blues cocktail you grew up with. And then slowly I gravitated to the kind of immediacy and “honesty” you find in punk music, which ever so slowly brought me back to the truth that was always there in folk music. At around age 24 I heard John Prine, and that was it for me… not to mention my simultaneous and admittedly last discovery of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen.

It’s been a few years since your last release.

What have you been doing in the time between albums?

Touring my ass off! I’ve never had the luck to be the kind of recording artist that gets to release a proper record every year, but put me in a room with a person with a pulse and I can do my job.

You spend a lot of time on the road. Has 2012 been any different?

2012 is shaping up to be the most ground I’ve ever covered in a year, although I still have one state left to play. Know a good Hawaiian gig?

So what’s next for you?

The record just came out and I’ll be touring in Canada and Europe, then the States again, then Europe and the UK with Chuck Ragan’s Revival Tour. Then possibly Australia, and then I get to work on the next record. Left foot, right foot...

ON THE ROAD AGAIN The Riverboat Gamblers Return With Their First New Album in 3 Years

BY JOHN B. MOORE

T

HE RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS SEEM TO BE everywhere lately. Between tours with Alkaline Trio and Social Distortion, a slew of 7” singles put out over the past couple of years, last year’s Smash & Grab EP and a number of different side projects (Broken Gold, Ghost Knife, etc.), it’s easy to forget that it’s been three years since their last proper full-length.

But ice up the Lone Star, ‘cause the boys from Austin are back! Darker, but still widely infectious, The Riverboat Gamblers recently released The Wolf That You Feed. And, if OPEC cuts these guys a break, expect to see them at a venue near you this summer.

Frontman Mike Wiebe spoke with us recently about the new album, gas prices, and why the band will keep churning out full albums despite living in a single-focused world.

How was SXSW this year? You guys played a show with Tenacious D, right?

SXSW was great and exhausting. On top of playing a whole bunch, lots of our friends were in town and there is lots of business to be conducted. The very act of getting from point A to point B is exhaust-

ing because of the extra 40,000 people in our not-so-big town. I’ve even tried to lay off the consumption, but it is still exhausting. The Tenacious D show was really great, as were the other two shows we played. I am jealous of Tenacious D for just having to carry around acoustics, though.

Do you ever feel territorial at all having your adopted home taken over by bands across the country for one week a year?

I like it, but I can see that it would be annoying if you weren’t involved in music. It is such a force of nature in Austin. It almost counts as a whole season. It is good for the economy, too. That being said, once a year is enough.

You’ve played some shows with Social Distortion and Alkaline Trio recently. Do you plan to tour much when the new record comes out?

I certainly hope so. We are planning stuff right now. With gas prices so high, touring isn’t getting any easier. But we still love it and try to get out as much as possible. We would like to hit some new parts of the world where we’ve never been.

I like having a proper album. I would like to have more EPs and 7-inches come out more regularly, but I like the album as a concept. I like a body of work that is meant to be heard together, whether people listen to it that way or not... I’m not opposed to putting out singles and then culling together a collection album. Although it is sometimes extremely frustrating, I would like to record more often.

I THINK WE ARE JUST EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THIS RECORD OUT. WE’RE SUPER PROUD OF IT, AND IT’S BROUGHT A NEW EXCITEMENT TO THE BAND THAT IS PALPABLE. I WANT TO PERFORM IT FOR THE WORLD, DAMMIT!

What can you tell me about the new record?

It is called The Wolf that You Feed. It was a long process of writing and there were some delays, but it was totally worth it. We worked with Ted Hutt (Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly) for pre-production and then recorded in Dallas with Stuart Sikes (White Stripes, Loretta Lynn, Rocket from the Crypt). We finished it in December, and are very anxious for the world to hear it. I think it’s the most cohesive album we have ever done. It is my favorite... it’s dirty and dark.

Along with the Smash & Grab EP, you’ve put out a number of splits and 7-inches over the past couple of years. Do you see a day pretty soon when you’ll stop putting out full-lengths and just issue songs as you finish them?

Have you had a chance to play any of these new songs live yet?

Yeah, we’ve been playing six or seven live.

We road tested them on the Alkaline Trio tour.

We used to trickle new songs in much more gingerly, but this time we figured, fuck it! We opened with four new songs, and it felt great.

It is kind of strange getting older as a band and having so many songs to choose from... they are all your babies, and some are gonna just have to get cut.

You guys have been a part of some great sideprojects: Will there be another Broken Gold or Ghost Knife record?

I know Ian is always working on other stuff, so I’m sure there will be more Broken Gold. I just started writing new Ghost Knife songs, and I’ve got about four that I like. I am hoping we’ll record some in May, maybe for a 7-inch. I think that the guys in High Tension Wires– that’s me and the fellas from Marked Men– are writing some new stuff, too.

What’s next for the Riverboat Gamblers?

We are getting together some videos for the new record and trying to figure out our touring schedule for the rest of the year. We also already have started writing new stuff, slowly but surely. Mostly I think we are just excited about getting this record out. We’re super proud of it, and it’s brought a new excitement to the band that is palpable. I want to perform it for the world, dammit! insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 27

MUSIC

DON’T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE A REFUGEE

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars Emerge From Tragedy Into Global Stardom

BY BRET LOVE

T

HERE ARE HUNDREDS (IF NOT THOUSANDS) OF popular bands who have written songs about war over the past 50 years, but few who have seen its tragedy first-hand like Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. As their name implies, the group originally came together in refugee camps in the Republic of Guinea after a bloody, brutal war broke out in their West African home.

Founded by Reuben Koroma and his wife, Grace, with guitarist Francis John Langba (a.k.a. Franco) and bassist Idrissa Bangura (a.k.a. Mallam), the group gradually attracted new members as they moved from one refugee camp to the next. They also built up a increasingly fervent following, as word spread of the amazing musicians who brought joy and elation to people drowning in misery.

The buzz brought the attention of American filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White, who trailed the group from camp to camp to create the award-winning documentary Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, which launched the band’s careers on the international stage. Returning to their homes in Freetown after the war in Sierra Leone ended, the group was championed by celebs such as Sir Paul McCartney and Angelina Jolie, and even appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Now, the band is back with its third album, Radio Salone, and they’re currently touring to spread their messages of positivity and hope in the face of adversity. We recently caught up with Koroma on a tour bus in the American Midwest to talk about the group’s arduous, inspirational journey.

How did you guys originally meet in the refugee camps and start the band?

It was in the late ‘90s, when the war in Sierra Leone first started. We sought refuge in the neighboring country, the Republic of Guinea.

When we arrived, it was a very bad place in the sense that there was no good water to drink.

Here we were in a state of confusion– we missed our country, we were separated from our love ones, and some of us lost family members. We were agitated, and everyone has a psychological problem. We lived there for some time. So I thought, instead of thinking about what had happened to us, why not do something here? My wife and I started singing together just to heal

ourselves and forget about what had happened to us. I was looking for other musicians and I found Francis John Langba (a.k.a. Franco), who brought his guitar. I told him about my vision, and that’s how the three of us started. We looked out for musicians and, anytime we found one, we incorporated that person into the group.

What effect did you see this music having on the people in the refugee camps?

The feedback was very positive when we started.

Our fellow refugees really grew love for it. Every time we started to play, they would come around us, sometimes in small quantities. As we kept doing it, the number grew. It was not very long until we started having people all around us, and people loved it. We saw most of the people happy and smiling. We played music and they felt comforted. That’s when we knew music could play an important role in the lives of people with psychological problems. We kept doing this until they started asking us to play parties in the camp.

Some people hear your music and think of it as inspired by Jamaican reggae, but in fact the roots of the music in Sierra Leone was the inspiration behind reggae. Can you tell me about that connection?

Sierra Leone historically has a very strong connection with Jamaica. The Maroons (descendants of African slaves) were taken from Jamaica and brought to Freetown. I believe they must have come with a lot of influences, which they began to incorporate into our Sierra Leone sound, which is 100% similar to the “one drop” style of reggae in Jamaica. It’s gradually diminishing now because of technology, but when we were growing up it used to be the most youthful entertainment. When reggae music first came out in Jamaica, everybody in Sierra Leone fell in love with reggae because of the similarity of the rhythm.

You address many sociopolitical issues in your lyrics. Can you talk about some of the more pressing issues that concern you?

On our first album, one of the social issues was the refugee issue, which is war right now. We still have many refugees languishing. Since then, we had the inspiration of writing songs that have to do with issues affecting other people of the world, not only Sierra Leone. On our second album, we talked about global warming, which is an issue affecting the entire world.

Talk to me about Zach Niles and Banker White and how their film about the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars impacted your career and your life?

I call Zach Niles and Banker White “the discoverers.” The discovered our talent in Africa

PG 28 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

and then made a documentary film about us in the United States. There was a film festival organized by the American Film Institute in LA in 2005, and we won the Best Documentary Award. Since then, everyone wants to see us everywhere in the world because of that. I believe these guys took us from the garbage and put us in a show glass. I believe these are the guys that really brought our story here to the West and really helped us throughout our struggle until we were known internationally.

I’m always grateful to them.

What’s the reception like when you come home to Freetown? Do the people of Sierra Leone treat you differently now?

Yes. They treat us as celebrities and they are very proud of us. Everywhere in Sierra Leone, everyone knows that the Refugee All Stars is the biggest international band. Sometimes when we have international people visiting our country, they will engage us to play.

Let’s talk about Radio Salone: Can you explain the concept behind it?

The concept behind Radio Salone is that we are giving back to the radio, because it’s a powerful source of our musical inspiration. Back home, we listen to the radio and, through it, we are able to listen to different rhythms from all over the world.

That inspires us to create music with different rhythms.

What made Victor Axelrod (a.k.a. Ticklah) the right choice to produce the album?

Victor Axelrod was introduced to us by the record label. When we were in the studio, our experience with him was an amazing one because he’s super creative. He brought some proposals in the making of the songs, which really made our songs go beyond expectations. For example, on the song “Toman Teti N’bakala” he suggested that we use a reggae beat instead of the traditional beat, called “bass gather,” that we originally used.

How would you say the music on this one is different from your previous albums?

The music of Radio Salone really represents our traditional culture. It has Goombay interludes and there’s more of an African musical influence, whereas the previous album had more reggae music.

Your website says the band is committed to doing “what they can to turn their country around, and their weapon in this struggle is music.” What changes do you hope to see in Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole in the future?

I hope to see stability, firstly, and then development. I think that’s what we need. If our countries are stable and we work toward development, then Africa will do better than it has in the past.

TRAVEL

THE EMERALD FOREST

Transformed By Adventures Deep Into the Heart of the Peruvian Amazon

BY BRET LOVE; PHOTOS BY BRET LOVE & MARY GABBETT

I

around seven travelers. We’d make our way off the main river and back into smaller tributaries, where our naturalist guides used binoculars, ears and instincts to seek out sights and sounds the rest of us failed to see or hear. On our first day, we saw Great Egrets, the brilliant yellow hues of the Capped Heron, and grey dolphins leaping out of the water before we’d had our first cup of coffee.

Over the course of the week, we saw literally hundreds of colorful bird species, from dusky headed parakeets and “punk rock birds” (a.k.a. hoatzin, a pheasant nicknamed after its vivid orange Mohawklike crest feathers) to toucans and horned screamers. There was plenty of other wildlife as well– iguanas, caiman lizards, tarantulas, pink dolphins, sloths, piranhas, and more monkey species than I’d ever seen before. It wasn’t just the variety that proved impressive, but the sheer abundance: At

As the rangers weighed and measured him, we got a little emotional at the thought of someone eating this beautiful baby, and suddenly it became all too clear why it was crucial to emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation and the economic benefits of ecotourism to indigenous communities around the world. Watching him being released back into the wild was one of the sweetest moments of our lives.

’M SITTING IN A TINY HOME IN THE flooded village of San Jose, deep in the heart of Peru’s remote rainforest, listening to 72-year-old shaman Don Juan (whom our naturalist guide, Johnny, calls “Maestro”) as he explains the medicinal uses of various plants found only in the Amazon. Although we pass around a plastic water bottle filled with the hallucinogenic On one of our final days in the Peruvian tincture known as Ayahuasca, there will be Amazon, we had another emotional no vision quests today. But, knowing what’s encounter with an entirely different (but to come, my heart is beating in my chest equally adorable) species: The children of nonetheless. the village of Nueva York. International Finally, the ancient blessing ceremony Expeditions works with several Ribereños begins, and Don Juan makes his way around villages in the area, visiting a different to the individual members of our tour one on each trip, helping to fund water group. In front of each one, he sings a brief treatment plants, donating school supplies melodic mantra while shaking a handful and bringing in tourist dollars from the sale of bundled herbs over their head as they of handmade crafts. raise their hands to the sky as if in prayer.

From the second the He stops chanting, takes a Aquamarina dropped puff off a tobacco cigarette, WE LEARNED THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE PERUVIAN her plank onto the shore, and blows smoke into AMAZON ARE JUST AS AMAZING AS ITS DIVERSE FLORA a gaggle of the village’s their hands to be spread kids were using the ship AND FAUNA, SERVING AS GREAT EXAMPLES OF HOW across their bodies for as their very own jungle healing and purification.

COMMUNITIES CAN LIVE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE. gym, jumping from ship It’s an ancient ritual found to shore and rolling on commonly in shamanic the ground while giggling their heads off. one point we saw over a dozen scarlet cultures, but in this intimate setting it feels Wherever we went within the village, they macaws in one tree, and at another we sacred and profoundly personal. would inevitably find us, strike some sort of spotted two monkey species (cute squirrel Suddenly it’s my turn. The Maestro hilarious pose, patiently wait for us to take monkeys and the bizarre equatorial saki stands before me and begins to sing, but my a picture, and then urge us to show them monkeys) coexisting peacefully, side blissful reverie is quickly broken when he the results. It always seemed to result in a by side. starts coughing uncontrollably. He excuses huge grin, so we indulged them time and But there was one particular wildlife himself, walks outside to clear his throat, encounter that proved far more memorable time again. Their energy was infectious, and then comes back over to me, only to and we found that we couldn’t stop smiling. than the rest. start coughing again. Later I asked Johnny Our naturalist guides (several of whom what had just happened. “You noticed that, had grown up in similar villages) taught us Around lunchtime on our fourth day huh?” he responded with a broad, knowing quite a bit about the Ribereños’ way of life, in the Amazon, we made our way to grin. “You have a very powerful spirit, and showing us the simple but well-maintained Ranger Station #2, deep in the heart of the the Maestro was overwhelmed by your inside of a typical home, teaching us about Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. This is literally energy.” the foods they ate (from huge apple snails as deep into the remote Peruvian Amazon With that, I, too, am feeling and fish to a variety of root vegetables, as travelers are allowed to go, and our overwhelmed… and giving us a chance to try our hands at excitement level was high: The wildlife daily chores such as roasting manioc (also sightings were increasingly impressive, This was one of many emotionally known as yuca or cassava) over a roaring and we knew we were about to get the rare impactful moments during our Amazon fire for six hours, turning constantly to experience of swimming in the Amazon. river cruise with International Expeditions, avoid burning.

I was out on the ranger station porch one of the area’s leading ecotourism alone, taking photos of a pink-toed operators. After flying from Atlanta to Eventually we made our way to Nueva tarantula, when one of the rangers Lima, and then over the Andes Mountains York’s tiny, colorful schoolhouse, where (Ribereños who volunteer in exchange for to the city of Iquitos, we boarded classic IE presented the village’s mayor with rights to fish in areas off limits to others) riverboat The Aquamarina for a 600donated school supplies. Our guide, quietly mentioned that he had a surprise mile adventure down the Amazon and its Johnny, led through us a brief cultural for us. It was then that I noticed two other various tributaries, exploring a side of Peru exchange, with the kids teaching us words rangers carefully pulling a large dugout that even the vast majority of locals never in Spanish and us teaching them words canoe that had been submerged in the get to see. in English. Then, the Ribereños children water over to us, fishing around in the It almost seemed as if nobody knows and travelers performed two interactive water for something. There was a splash the Peruvian Amazon exists, making it a songs together: In the first, they’d sing, and a brief flash of a creature that clearly great alternative to a Brazilian Amazon “Como estan mis amigos, como estan?” did not want to be caught, and we melted increasingly plagued by deforestation as we realized what it was: A baby Amazon and we’d enthusiastically respond, “MUY and poaching. Over the course of our BIEN!” In the latter, we taught them how Manatee, the smallest of the world’s 7-day excursion, we did not see another to do the “Hokey Pokey.” Everyone wound endangered Manatees. commercial vessel of any sort, and only up smiling so much, our faces hurt the Apparently, the rangers had rescued the occasionally would we spot any human next day. little guy (estimated to be under a year old) beings at all. When we did, it was usually In the end, we learned that the people of from poachers the day before. In the Amazon, a small dugout canoe of the Ribeñeros the Peruvian Amazon are just as amazing where meat is often scarce, a Manatee is a (or river people), who get their food and as its diverse flora and fauna, serving as prized source of protein that can feed an water, bathe and wash their clothes in the great examples of how communities can entire family for months, and the poachers mighty river. live in harmony with nature. We emerged had been caught on their way to sell him to As a result, the wildlife sightings from our week-long adventure with a the highest bidder. Knowing that our group along the way were both plentiful and much greater appreciation for the life we was coming– with a World Wildlife Fund spectacular. In what became a daily routine, have, and a desire to share the ancient rep and two journalists in tow– the rangers every morning we’d wake before sunrise wisdom and ceaseless wonder of our decided to keep him there overnight so that and load into two small skiffs attached to experience with a world far removed from we could share the story of their fight to the side of The Aquamarina, each with preserve this rare wildlife species. the remote, rural lives of the Ribereños.

insiteatlanta.com • June 2012 • PG 29

SPORTS

SHOOT FOR THE STARS WNBA Sensation Angel McCoughtry talks women’s

hoops, the Olympics and taking the R&B world by storm

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

A

NGEL MCCOUGHTRY, STAR forward for the Atlanta Dream, is arguably one of the 10 best female basketball players on the planet. Last season, the 6-1 offensive machine was first-team All WNBA, tied for the league lead in scoring (21.6 points per game) and the main reason the Dream made a second consecutive WNBA Finals appearance. Later this summer she’ll take her hoops act on the road with the U.S. Women’s National Team as it goes for gold at the Sumer Games in London. How she finds time to dominate on the court while still pursuing her other love, professional singing, is beyond us.

LEBRON JAMES

Congratulations on making the U.S. National Team. What does that feel like?

I mean, it was a couple years ago I was watching the U.S. team in China and all the girls that I am playing with now were on that team, so it’s like, “Wow, I’m on this USA team with the girls that I was just watching a few years back.”

you’ve got the people that are like, “Oh, you need to stay in your lane. You’re a basketball player.

No basketball player is successful in music.” Well, guess what? Those were men basketball players, honey. You’re about to see the first woman basketball player [succeed] in music, because I’m working on getting a record deal, and my music…people like my music. It ain’t cheesy. It’s very professional and sounds great. And I got some more videos coming out soon, and I’m gonna do great things with the music thing, you just wait and see. I’m gonna surprise people. People will be like, “That ain’t Angel.” So, that’s my goal.

If you were WNBA commissioner, what are a few things you would change about the league?

The first thing I would change is our commercials. Our commercials basically only come on NBA TV. Our commercials would come on any channel at any time, because that is how you get real promotion. I mean like, when people watch How did that love for music come about?

NBA TV, we’ve got I always loved it those fans already. You I GOT SOME MORE VIDEOS COMING growing up, but I know what I’m saying?

OUT SOON, AND I’M GONNA DO never really went for Yeah, if there was a it. You’ve got to step GREAT THINGS WITH THE MUSIC commercial with you, out of the box. You THING, YOU JUST WAIT AND SEE. I’M Maya Moore and have to broaden your Seimone Augustus and GONNA SURPRISE PEOPLE. PEOPLE mind. So that is what a couple of other girls, WILL BE LIKE, “THAT AIN’T ANGEL.” I did, and it just startyou know…

SO, THAT’S MY GOAL. ed where I got a beat People would be like, and I started writing.

“Oh shoot! I’m coming to a game!” If you look at My song “Illusion,” I don’t know if you’ve heard those NBA commercials, they’ve got some really it, but I wrote that all by myself. In one night, I nice commercials. We can act too. We’ve got wrote that song. [The latest single] “Baby I’m a personalities. We’ve got acting skills. We can sing, Star,” I had writers help me on that. But, “Illusion,” we can dance.

I just wrote that all by myself. I just started writing music. I started getting people around me to We already mentioned Maya and we’ve got help me, the right people, and it really just started Nneka Ogwumike, who just graduated from taking off from there. That’s why I said, if you Stanford. This next wave is super talented, huh? have a dream, you just have to really go for it. You Super duper talented. I would try to make a don’t know unless you try. We all have dreams WNBA network. Broadcast all of our stuff, what that we just kinda let pass by sometimes. Shoot, if we do overseas, what we do here. Show every you just actually try to do something with it, who game all the time from some team, and people knows what can come about? would watch it. People would start to know who the girls are from just the WNBA having their You know there are going to be people who read own channel. Because ESPN, they’ve got so much this and say that this is some hobby for a minthey broadcast, so they try to squeeze us in durute, but you’re serious about this, you’re really ing the summer, you know, and through baseball trying to pursue a deal. and everything else. I would figure out the best Oh, I’m very serious. I’m very, very serious. And way to just market all over the world. They need people, of course, they’re going to say, “Well, this to hire me. is just a hobby.” The second thing they are going to say is, “If she is serious, how is she going to If I knew somebody at the league, I would defimanage both?” Guess what? It’s better than doing nitely slide your name on the desk. Now, besides nothing. So, I’m sure gonna try. You can quote being a great basketball player and WNBA me on that. It’s worth a try. Whether I have suclobbyist, what else do you do really well? cess with it or not, I’m gonna give it my all, just I love music and I’m really passionate about it. like I gave my all in ball.

And honestly, I’ve been getting good. Of course,

PG 30 • June 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

FANATIC FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up

(BlakeWrap-up Griffin, L.A. Clippers); Coach of the Year (Gregg

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS Sports A Monthly Popovich, San Antonio); Most Improved Player (Kevin Now that SUPER BOWL XLV is over, football fans can to the real issue: Will there be a 2011 season? If BY get DEMARCO WILLIAMS you let NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tell it, a new collective bargaining agreement is imminent.

But listen to “I remember distinctly how caring Bill others closewas to the to situation they’ll say it’s not such Stewart the and UConn nation aftera sure thing.Howard While officials workstabbed out the numbers, Fanatic Jasper was to death. knows three no lockout: 1) WVU wasthings the that’ll firsthappen, gamelockout after orthe tragedy An SEC defender (Auburn’ s Nick Fairley or LSU’ s Patrick and the fans, players and coaches in Peterson) will be thewere No. 1 pick in the Draft; 2) An Morgantown magnificent in18-game their season will be approved; 3) Super Bowl XLVI will kick-off outpouring of condolence and respect. as planned on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis.

Love, Minnesota); Sixth Man of the Year (Jamal Crawford, Atlanta); Most Surprising Team (New Orleans Hornets); Biggest Disappointment (Phoenix Suns).

PEYTON “He’s a beast. What can you say? Some of the shots he made, I was like, ‘Wow. Did he just make thatMANNING in my face?’

A player like that, you have to live and die defending him one on one. If he makes big shots, you have to go to the other end and stay poised.” –New Mexico guard Dairese Gary, on JIMMER FREDETTE, BYU star and college’s leading scorer

It was Coach Stewart who set that tone.

For that the now Huskies willthree always be “I feel like aalone, better player than I was years ago, “St. Louis was fourth in baseball last year in attendance, grateful to him and the great fans of the because I think that physically I’m stronger, faster, mentally but only 13th in payroll. In other words the Cardinals ‘Eers who truly respected his example.

I’m more motivated on the court. I know how to react in have money to burn, and it’s time to light the match. So Rest peace and Coach.

–ESPN certainin moments, I know” how to playcommenter, on a big stage. here’s what you do if you’re St. Louis: Whatever [Albert] on passing of former WEST I havethe beenMay more 21 focused and dedicated to the sport than Pujols wants, within reason, you give it to him. What’s VIRGINIA COACH BILL within reason? No idea. The closest baseball has had to a I have ever been FOOTBALL before.” -2011 MEN’S AUSTRALIAN STEWART OPEN WINNER NOVAK DJOKOVIC free agent like this was Alex Rodriguez in 2001, when he

received $252 million for 10 years. That was $25.2 million “Whengoal I signed contract, my goalacross was to earn “Our is my to provide themain fans the annually, and that was a decade ago. And Pujols is better.” it. Once I started realize Year’s I wasn’t Day earning my money, I –CBS SPORTS’ GREGG DOYEL country with to a New prime-time felt bad. I wasThis makingisa crazy amount of money for not tradition. a landmark agreement even pitching.two Honestly, like I deserved it. I And finally… between of I didn’t the feel most successful didn’t want to have those feelings again.”the –GILBCS MECHE, football conferences during era Hawaii pays $4 million to host the NFL’s annual Pro Bowl 32, who retired instead of takingevent. a guaranteed million at Aloha Stadium… If early estimates are accurate, Super to stage a postseason The $12 creation to pitch for Kansas City this season of this game featuring the champions of Bowl XLV should be Stub Hub’s top-selling event ever… At the Big 12 and SEC will have tremendous press time, the Cleveland Cavs were in the midst of a 1-29 February, of course, marks the NBA’S halfway point. stretch, the NBA’s worst since 1996… If there’s an NFL work resonance in college football.” –Acting Big With that landmark also comes Fanatic’s midseason stoppage We next know there are athat fewLaspurists out season, it’s reported Vegas casinos 12 commissioner Neinas on thePlayer Big awards: MVP (Derrick Chuck Rose, Chicago); Defensive would take an $850 million hit on unplaced betting…

Aa there who still view interleague play as 12 vs.Year SEC bowlHoward, debuting in 2014 of the (Dwight Orlando); Rookie of the Year record 56 underclassmen declared for the NFL Draft. marketing ploy that’s ruining BASEBALL.

For the second straight year, the L.A. Fanatic loves it. And when those cynics LAKERS have been eliminated in the look at the five most exciting interleague second round of the NBA Playoffs. If series of June, they may have a change of Fanatic had team GM Mitch Kupchak’s heart too: 1) L.A. Angels vs. L.A. Dodgers, job, these are the three big moves to make June 11-13; 2) Washington vs. Baltimore, June to ensure an early exit didn’t happen in ’13: (Feb. 20, 8PM,22-24; TNT) 3) Atlanta vs. Boston, June 22-24; 4) N.Y.playing Metsorvs.celebrating N.Y. Yankees, June 1) Get someif there offensive help;celebrities If that on the hardwood We Kobe don’t know will be more 8-10; 5) San Francisco vs. Oakland, June camecourtside in the form a spunky point guard at L.A.of ’s Staples Center.

22-24.

(Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin), all the better; 2) Offer Andrew Bynum and a few scraps to AndABC) finally…

Orlando for Dwight Howard; 3) Sure(Feb. up 13, a 1PM, As much as Chicago and Orlando fans hate acknowledging the fact, this is probably ESPN columnist Markyour Schlabach’s frail bench with smart additions like Carl Eastern Conference Finals preview.

“Way-Too-Early” NCAA Football Top Landry and Leandro Barbosa.

5: 1. LSU 2. USC 3. Alabama 4. Oregon

“His passes were hitting receivers in 5. Georgia… Tiger Woods’ niece, golfer Cheyenne Woods, has signed with her stride(Feb.and right9PM, between 12, 2PM, ESPN) Thethe top numbers, two teams in the nation go on the road to very, very not skipping off the ground or whizzing uncle’s agent and plans to participate in hostile environments. behind their heads like so many of Tim LPGA events this year… Reserved seat Tebow’s… Manning looked great, showing tickets for I’ll Have Another’s Triple (Feb. 20, 12PM, Fox)Crown bid at the Belmont Stakes sold out zip and accuracy on his passes, comfort in from threewinning minutes…

With Donald Gentlemen, start your quest to stop Jimmie Johnson an unprecedented sixth Driver’s under center, complete command of Dancing with the Stars win, that makes straight Sprint Cup championship. his offense and no ill effects from the nerve injury that caused weakness in his it seven athlete champions in the show’s 14 seasons… University of Texas athletic throwing arm.” –Yahoo’s Arnie (Feb. Stapleton 9, 9PM, ESPN) director DeLoss Dodds: “I’m for an eightafter This PEYTON first 5)full big meetingMANNING’S (and another on March goes ateam long way in deciding North Carolina playoff but anything to get beyond practice with the Denver Broncos bragging rights and the ACC crown. where we are today with the BCS.”

Must-See TV 1. NBA All-Star Game 2. Miami at Boston

3. Ohio State at Wisconsin, Pittsburgh at Villanova 4. Daytona 500 5. UNC at Duke

Top 5 Games This Month

Let’s stay with motivation for a second. The Atlanta Dream have done really well in the playoffs, but you haven’t quite gotten over the hump. What is going to be the motivation this season to get to that next level?

I think last year would be motivation enough.

The great thing about the team is that we learned from [the WNBA Finals]. We could have easily quit, but we didn’t. We kept fighting and showed our heart.

Novak Djokovic

SPORTS SPORTS

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COLUMN

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

BY B. LOVE

T

HE CALENDAR MAY NOT HAVE made it official, but the thermostat says it’s summer, which means time for body-baring swimsuits. To get in shape, we’ve been exercising like crazy and eating right with snacks from NATURE BOX (www.naturebox. com), which sends 4-6 packages of delicious, healthy treats to your door every month. Our first package included Masa Crips, Tropical Trail Mix, Cinnamon Spiced Almonds, Agava Citrus Granola and a Honey Nut Medley, all with no trans fats, high fructose corn syrup or anything artificial. Best of all, the company donates a meal to a hungry child for every box you buy!

To say that I travel a lot would be an understatement: Our June trip to Dominica will be our fifth trip this year, with 4 more on the calendar. When it comes to luggage, we stay light and flexible, as we NEVER check bags and frequently need daypacks for outdoor adventures. We’ve become big fans of the MOTHER LODE TLS WEEKENDER CONVERTIBLE FROM EBAGS (www.eBags.com), which earned the San Francisco Chronicle’s Best-OfField award a few years ago. At 3.7 pounds it’s incredibly lightweight, yet the smart internal organizational structure allows it to hold a laptop and enough clothes for two weeks of travel.

We love independently owned companies, especially those with a great story that try to give back as they succeed. ADESSO (www.adessoshop.com) founder Samantha Goldstone went through a litany of cancer-related health issues, including a double mastectomy and hysterectomy, before launching a jewelry line inspired by her travels. Mixing vintage, modern, Californian and international influences, Adesso’s

jewelry uses ethnic beads, vintage glass, semiprecious and precious stones and a variety of metals to create a distinctively earthy look. She also has an entire line called “Adesso Supports,” whose proceeds are donated to charity organizations such as the Butterfly Project, Dream Foundation and the Tribal Trust Foundation.

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