INsite Atlanta June 2013

JUNE 2013

insiteatlanta .com

VOL. 21, NO. 11 FREE

Taste of the Month

BURGERS!

r e m Sum e d i u G

Will Smith Ciara Journey Anne Heche Bryce Howard

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

ATL_InSite_Bodies-Titanic_10X7-2.indd 1

3/25/13 12:45 PM

Georgia Tech Student Center presents

Flicks on 5th

Outdoor Summer Film Series

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

June 5

Identity Thief

June 12

Snitch

June 19

Silver Linings Playbook

June 26

Warm Bodies

(R)

(PG-13)

(R)

(PG-13)

FREE ADMISSION Open to the general public Event opens 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.

PG 2 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Student Center

JUNE 2013•••VOLUME VOLUME21, 21,NO. NO.10 11 CONTENTS CONTENTS •• JUNE MAY 2013 2013 VOLUME 21, NO. 11 Atlanta’s Atlanta’s

EntertainmentMonthly Monthly Entertainment

INTERVIEWS INTERVIEWS

06 Hannibal Anne Heche 06 Anne Heche 10 Danny Boyle Will Smith 10 Will Smith 14 Bill Engvall 11 Creed Bratton 11 Creed Bratton 15 Spank!

12 Bryce Howard 12 Jewel Howie Mandel / Mel B 18 14 Arrested Development 14 Arrested Development 22 Elizabeth Mitchell 15 Ross Matthews 15 Salman Ross Matthews 23 Rushdie 21 21 Journey Journey 27 Von Grey 22 Ciara 22 Ciara 27 The Breeders 24 Amy Ray 24 Amy Ray Zero 28 Authority 25 The Rascals 25 The Rascals 28 Old Man Markley Dear Hunter 28 Dear Hunter 29 JasontoHeywood 28 28 Face Face to Face Face 29 Howie Mandel 29 Bryce Howard 29 Stan Lee

FEATURES 09 Spring Festivals FEATURES FEATURES 11 Best Margaritas

06 14 06

Jun 7/8

Fri/Sat: 8pm Atlanta Symphony Hall

live! in concert

with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Featuring Grammy® award-winning conductor Arnie Roth and vocalist Susan Calloway multimediA ConCeRt expeRienCe

10 18 10

on SAle now!

aso.org

08 Best Best Tapas Burgers 12 08 Best Burgers 16 Summer Summer Movie Guide Preview 21 16 Summer Guide 18 Continuing Music Venues Venues 25 Education 18 Music 26 GA Outdoor Guide 26 Travel to Asheville 26 GA Outdoor Guide 27 NBA Travel to Tahiti Tahiti 29 Playoffs 27 Travel to 30 Travel to Antarctica

COLUMNS COLUMNS Town 04 Around Town

404.733.5000

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22 22

04 05 Around On Tap Town 05 On ATap Events Dime Events 05 On A Dime TheEvents Lights 07 Under The Lights 07 The Lights Reviews 13 Under Movie Reviews 13 14 Movie VidiotsReviews 16 19 Concert Calendar Calendar 19 Road Warriors Reviews 20 Album Reviews 19 We Got Next Warriors 22 Road Warriors 19 Things Next 22 Favorite We Got Next 20 Things 30 Album FavoriteReviews Things 29 30 Fanatic

24 29 24

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315-8485 insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 3

Around Town

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

ALL JUN

Are you or a loved one being treated for schizophrenia? If so, please contact Comprehensive Clinical Research to learn about a research study being conducted to further our understanding of an FDA approved medication for the disease. Participants should be 18-65. Call 404-459-6699 or go to comprehensivecd.com.

ALL JUNE

Georgia Reproductive Specialists is looking for non-smoking females between the ages of 21 and 31 who are interested in donating their eggs to infertile couples who otherwise could not conceive. GRS will offer $7,000 in compensation to qualifying participants. Visit their website ivf.com or email donor@ivf.com.

ALL JUNE

Are you suffering from terrible anal pain? Does it hurt to go to the bathroom? Then you may have an anal fissure. You may qualify for a research study of an investigational cream. All study related mediation and treatment is provided at no cost. If eligible, you will be compensated for time and travel. Call 855-472-4623 or visit clinicalstudysites.com.

ALL JUNE

ALL JUNE

Weight Loss Study – Have you bought a weight loss product during the last six months? Are you 18 years or older? If so you may be eligible to

Theatre/Film/Performance

take a 5-10 minute survey on non-prescription weight loss product use. The information can be used to help people choose safe and effective weight loss products in the future. Go to tinyurl. com/cgsvygv or call 706-542-1040.

Stone Mountain Park hosts Summer at the Rock all June with a mix of fun-filled attractions to special summer entertainment and the nightly Lasershow Spectacular. Attractions include Geyser Towers, Camp Highland Outpost and “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” screenings. Go to stonemountainpark.com for more information.

ALL JUNE

The Atlanta Children’s Shelter’s “5 to Thrive” 5K run/walk on June 1 aims to help children thrive and support ACS programs serving homeless children and families in Metro Atlanta.

This family-friendly event will be held in Piedmont Park and includes a 5K run/walk, a 1K fun run and a free Family Festival that includes game booths, face painting, arts & crafts, popcorn, cotton candy, live DJ and more. Head to acsatl.org for more info.

JUN 01

“Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy” will return to Atlanta June 7-8 at 8pm., in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center.

The program will feature iconic selections from the video game’s internationally popular 25-year catalogue of music. Grammy Award-winning conductor Arnie Roth will lead vocalist Susan Calloway and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in this unique multimedia experience. A limited number of $90 VIP tickets will be available. Go to woodruffcenter. org for more details.

SCHIZOPHRENIA? If so, please contact Comprehensive Clinical Research to learn about a research study being conducted to further our understanding of an FDA approved medication for Schizophrenia.

Qualified participants must: • Be 18-65 years of age • Currently being treated for schizophrenia • Have had a diagnosis of schizophrenia for at least the past year Those who qualify will receive: • All study evaluations,a study medication and study-related care at no cost • Compensation for their time

For information, call 404.459.6699 or visit www.comprehensivecd.com

Music/Comedy/Sports

Other Stuff

Visit the Georgia Aquarium on June 8 for World Oceans Day. There will be a Scavenger Hunt & Workshop from 11am-2pm. On World Oceans Day people around the planet celebrate and honor the body of water which links us all, both for what it provides humans and for what it represents. Go to georgiaaquarium.org for more details.

The Atlanta Opera, one of the nation’s finest regional opera companies enriching lives through the power of opera, today announced that its annual High School Opera Institute’s spring performance will take place at 4pm on June 9 at Morningside Presbyterian Church. The concert is free and open to the public. Visit atlantaopera.org.

The Artemis Guild of young professionals at Fernbank Museum invites you to eat like a lion, laugh like a hyena, socialize like a butterfly and dance you tail off at Lost Oasis 2013: Wild Safari.

Lost Oasis, Fernbank’s annual fundraising party, will take place at Fernbank Museum on June 8 at 8pm. Tickets are all-inclusive and start at $100 per person, with patron levels starting at $300 per couple. Tickets can be purchased online at fernbankmuseum.org or by calling 404-929-6404.

Go to Zoo Atlanta for “Wild on the Rocks: Tigers and ‘Tinis” on June 13. Tickets include a complimentary beverage, special evening exhibit viewing, music and keeper presentation. Programs are designed for adults. Stay tuned to zooatlanta. org for reservation details.

JUN 08

JUN 08

JUN 09

JUNE 13

The Center for Puppetry Arts will present “The Cat in the Hat” from June 13-July 28. Based on the book

by Dr. Seuss, the play originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain.

Go to puppet.org for show times and details.

JUN 13

Minette Magnifique presents “Minette’s Murder Mystery: A Whodunnit, Shestripsit Burlesque Revue” on June 13 at 8pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $28 at the door. The show takes place at the Warren City Club in the Highlands. Go to thewarrencityclub.com for show information.

JUN 13

JUN 7-8

ARE YOU OR A LOVED ONE BEING TREATED FOR

PG 4 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Museums/Exhibits/Arts

Don’t miss one of the seasons best series as the Braves host the defending world champions June 14-16. San Fransico travels to Turner Field for a three-game set. Go online to braves. com for tickets and potential pitching matchups.

JUN 14

© 2009, 2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA

Have you bought a weight loss product during the last 6 months?

If YES, you may be eligible to take a 5-10 min survey on non-prescription weight loss product use.

The information can be used to help people choose safe and effective weight loss products in the future.

Are you 18 years of age or older?

If yes, to take the RESEARCH survey, go to

http://tinyurl.com/cgsvygv or use this QR code:

Questions? Please ask Dr. Sally Huston (706-542-1040, shuston@uga.edu) or Dr. Duska Franic (706-542-1132, dfranic@uga.edu) from the University of Georgia

Suffering from terrible anal pain?

Does it hurt to go to the bathroom?

You may have an anal fissure.

(We’re completely serious and may be able to help)

You may qualify for a research study of an investigational cream. All study related medication and treatment will be provided at no cost. You do not need health insurance to participate. If eligible, you will be compensated for time and travel.

To find out if you qualify, email VEN307@ventrusbio.com Call 855-4-PAINAF (855-472-4623) or visit www.clinicalstudysites.com

LOCAL EVENTS

LOCAL

On Tap this Month

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

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

EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM All June: Fox Theatre

FOX FILM FESTIVAL

The Fox Theatre kicks off the 2013 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival in June with six Oscar-winning films – the adventure classic “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” the 10th Anniversary of “Finding Nemo,” two of this year’s Best Picture nominees “Les Misérables” and “Django Unchained,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre Ticket Office and may be purchased online at foxatltix.com or 855-ATL-TIXX. For additional information on the movies or parking, please visit foxtheatre.org.

All June: Technology Square

FLICKS ON 5TH

The 8th Annual Flicks on 5th Summer Film Series kicks off June 5 for four weeks of movies in the streets of Midtown.

This free admission summer film series is held on Wednesday nights in the heart of Technology Square (Spring Street at 5th Street). Flicks on 5th is open to all Tech students and Atlanta area residents. Each week at 7pm the will be pre-movie entertainment, activities and free popcorn while supplies last.

Patrons are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more information on this year’s series please visit flickson5th.net.

June 14: Decatur Square

DECATUR BEACH PARTY

From 5-11pm, 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 A1A - The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show. Activities include children’s boardwalk games and attractions, face painting, sand fun 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. Visit decaturdba.com for more information.

June 21: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

HANK WILLIAMS JR.

So you think you know ol’ Bocephus? Well, get ready for the most outspoken, controversial, flat-out rowdy Hank Williams, Jr. tour in years with “Old School, New Rules.” Williams will play a special show featuring songs off his new album. Making the event even better is the addition of Gregg Allman for a classic night at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The founding member of The Allman Brothers Band and Williams will play at 8pm.

Doors at 7pm. Tickets range from$19.50 (lawn) to $99.50. For more information, visit vzamp.com.

June 22: Masquerade Music Park

SUMMER BEER FEST

The Atlanta Summer Beer Fest returns to break in the warm weather at Masquerade Music Park. More than 150 beers will grace the event on June 22 which runs from 4-9pm. Tickets are only $35 advance, $40 after June 13 and $48 day of the event.

There will be live music and additional fun and games. The festival will have a VIP option this year for $75, $85 after June 13.

The package includes extra fancy beers, indoor air conditioned room, VIP lounge on the stage, VIP mug and indoor bathrooms.

For more information, go online to atlantasummerbeerfest.com.

June 29: Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

THE TEMPTATIONS & THE FOUR TOPS

Ready for a night of classic Motown music? The Temptations and the Four Tops come to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater on June 29. Take in the sounds of two of America’s classic bands for a perfect blend of R&B and soul. Doors open at 7pm, and the shows starts at 8. The amphitheater is located at 201 McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City. Lawn tickets start at $45, reserved seat tickets are $50-$65, picnic table tickets are $80, Belgard Terrace tickets are $100 and gold table tickets are $100 as well. For more information, go to amphitheater.org for additional show details.

SIPS IN THE CITY SUMMERFEST CALLAWAY GARDENS PHOENIX FLIES VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS

August, Check forLANDMARKS” Deals Through Feb. 28, FREE–Website Saturday, June 1 (10am 11pm) “CITYWIDE CELEBRATION OF LIVING Various Downtown Restaurants Callaway Gardens Sunday, June 2Free (10am – 6:00pm), Free March 5-20, www.atlantadowntown.com 17800 Hwy 27 Virginia Avenue between North Highland Avenue VariousUS Landmarks Around the City Pine Mountain, Georgia and Park Drive phoenixflies.org This summer promotion encourages vahi.org/summerfest callawaygardens.com

patrons to experience DowntownofAtlanta The Phoenix Flies: A Celebration Living

One of Atlanta’s premier seasonal festivals, on ice!

Throughout the heated months of Admission Callaway Gardens is Landmarks wastocreated in 2003 by The Atlanta Summerfest features a juried artist market, July and August, featured restaurants in the complimentary through the end of this Preservation Center as a with way tolots celebrate the 5K road(Price race, Kidsfest family Downtown Dining District willrescue beofoffering month is normally $15 for adults, 25th anniversary of the dramatic of the activities two music stages guests including an refreshing signature cocktails, hipAtlanta’s happy $6.50 perand child) providing with Fox Theatre, anThere event that changed acoustic stage. will be food and drinks hours and deals that you won’t want tothe miss. the opportunity to forever. enjoy time with their preservation This year, list available fromoutlook several local restaurants.

Participating restaurants include Atlanta family and friends reconnecting in nature. includes free guided tours of The Fox Theatre, Grill, AzioPark, Downtown, BLTtheSteak, Max Free admission includes Virginia Piedmont Historic Oakland Cemetery, RED STRIPE MIDSUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL Lager’s, No Mas! Cantina and The Sundial Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day Civil14War Atlanta Walking Smith June (4pm – 11pm), June 15Tour, (NoonTullie – 11pm) Restaurant.

Visit the website for a complete Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Farm(wristbands House, Margaret Mitchell the Free for those 21+ can beHouse, purchased list ofBeltline deals.

Center, Mr. Cason’s Vegetable on forPark $5 before 5pm, $10 afterGarden, 5pm) newSaturday and much more.

Callaway Candler ParkBrothers Azalea Bowl, Overlook Garden, Bicycle Trail, Pioneer midsummermusicfestival.com AMERICANDiscovery CRAFT COUNCIL SHOW IN ATLANTA Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial March 10-13, Regular admission: $13 Atlanta’snature favoritetrails outdoor festival is back Chapel, and daily programs.

Children under 12: free and bigger than ever. With the best lineCobbinGalleria Center history and the largest up MidSummer THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta food10truck gathering in from Atlanta, Feb. 27, Tickets range $15 -this $35 once craftcouncil.org/Atlanta one-day festival has turned into a weekend Turner Field Green Lot event. Start off the weekend on Friday night 521 Avenue, Atlanta ThisCapitol 3-day event is the largest juried fineHour craft from 4p-11p for the Food Truck Happy universoulcircus.com Showkick in the Thewith show been and off southeast. the weekend thehas sounds

By Marci Miller 2011 SOUTHEASTERN HUNGER WALK/RUN 5KFLOWER WHERE’S WALDO FESTIVAL & SHOW WORLD Feb. 25 27, Adults $18 ($15 in advance) March 13, Noon-4pm, $25 for runners 8th ANNUAL GERMAN BIERFEST RECORD ATTEMPT

Youth/Student $7,27, Kids2 under 5 are Free Free for walkers Saturday, August – 7pm Saturday, June 15.

4:00pm – 11:00pm, $15 Cobb Galleria Centre Parking is free East Andrews Entertainment District $30 Online, $35 At the Door Two Galleria Parkway, WheresWaldoAtlanta.com Turner Field Green LotAtlanta Woodruff Park, Downtown Atlanta sehort.org 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta www.germanbierfest.com Celebrate all things Waldo! Join the attempt hungerwalkrun.org to break the most people Presented

by Record the forSoutheastern This summerWorld event celebrates the greatness dressed like iconic children’s character Waldo Horticultural Society, this annual premier Join thousands of runners and walkers at of German beer in a family-friendly in a single area.

Also enjoy the bar crawl, live gardening event promotes preservation this annual event that benefits the Atlanta environment. Complete with authentic bands and DJs, scavenger hunts and more at and awareness of plants Community Food Bankflowers and fiveand other local German food, activities for the kids, music the East Andrews Entertainment District. through andBierfest artistic expression. nonprofits.

Participants can register as a team and fun,education the German is not only Free drink at each bar, costume contest, door Show activities include speakers, juried or individually online or register the day of the only authentic German Bierfest in prizes, live music and more. competition, kids’ activities, Landscape & the event.but There will befamily-friendly activities for all beer ages Atlanta, the only Discovery Gardens and more. including games, livethe entertainment & more. festival well.

For price of admittance, JAZZ ATasTHE VILLA

Gates open at noon, theall5Ktherunbeer & walk attendees drink theybegin can Sunday, Junecan 16 and Sunday at 2 p.m. safely consume.

Designated drivers are 10th OAKHURST July 14,ANNUAL 5:30pm – 8:00pm, Free WINE CRAWL encouraged and can attend for free.

No one Villa Christina Saturday, Feb. 26, 4 pm-7 pm villachristina.com 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, event March $5 Join Villa Christina for their live, free, service will also be on site for those who Oakhurst LakewoodBusiness District family friendly concerts that showcase the find themselves in an unsafe condition to oakhurstga.org 2002 Lakewood Ave SE, Atlanta hottest artists in classic and contemporary drive home. atownday.com jazz. Staged in outdoors on the grounds of Participants this year’s event will get Villa Christina (or in the grand ballroom in to sample wines from around theconcert, world A-TOWN is a health festival, PIGS & PEACHES BBQcare FESTIVAL the case ofDAY rain), audiences will enjoy jazz while exploring all the businesses in the and a sipping major of beverages Awareness celebrating August 26 & 27,day Friday 5pm - 11pmand while cold dining Oakhurst neighborhood.

There will be 20 all things Atlanta.

A-TOWN DAY Saturday 10am – 10pm, Free by on fantastic food, prepared thebenefits award participating establishments and the event the Diabetes of Atlanta and The Ben Robertson Community Center, Kennesaw winning staff.Association expects to sell 2013 out quickly.

The Bus B-Aware Foundation.

This event willFur feature www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches The summer season will feature will be on hand to transport participants live music, show16th and lots family two dates, poetry, Sunday,carJune and ofSunday, from bar toThe bar.

Tickets be purchased July 14th. music series kicks off with friendly events.

The event features acannon-sanctioned from Steinbeck’s Ale House, songstress, RobinAnything Latimore.

Backyard BBQ, Butt andUjoint, Peach and Karvana Coffee Shop, locatedCity in Dessert PARK Contest, as well as all a WEEK Kansas INMAN RESTAURANT THE MODA MAD MEN PARTY Oakhurst village.

Barbeque Society March 28-April 3, $15sanctioned Professional Saturday, June 29, 8pm – 11pm as a Georgia Contest, is recognized $25 & $35which for three-course meal $20 for members, $25 for non-members State NATIONAL Championship Barbeque Cookoff.

IHOP PANCAKE DAY CELEBRATION inmanparkrestaurantweek.com Museum of DesigninAtlanta Over $14,000 cash and prizes will be Tuesday, March 1, 7 am-10 pm, Free Pancakes museumofdesign.org awarded to House contest winners. food International of Pancakes Savor historic Inman Park withBesides three-course for sale, and free music from a number of Locations throughout Metro Atlanta dinners from 11 local restaurants.

Proceeds The “MODA Mad Men Party,” is an evening local and national acts, festival goers will IHOPPancakeday.com will benefit Project Open Hand, which helps of cocktails, canapés and modern design. be treated to a large Kid guests Zone (with many people prevent better manage With cocktails inor hand, willchronic enjoy attractions FREE to families), unique vendor On this day, customers willauthentic receive one 1950s and ‘60s lounge music, middisease through comprehensive nutrition care. booths andstack sponsor exhibits.

The Silver free short ofand IHOP’s century party fare, abeera-relevant prizes $1 raffle tickets will(three) sold willdoor gofamous towards Wings paratrooper aerial exhibition team buttermilk pancakes.

All they isplaza. that and a chance to winner do the limbo onask thewill the charity.

The of the raffle win returns thed’ouerves, event, andbeer will jump intofor the Come your bestmaking Mad Men wear patrons aand donation toa a hostedintoconsider hor wine party chance winSaturday, the Best Dressed prize! festival August 27. through Crowds support local children’s hospitals at Park’stoon Edge Restaurant for thirty of their will be Each treated to Network aPark wonderful display of Children’s Miracle or other friends.

Inman restaurant will local bring aerobatics performances in charities.

Since beginning tastes from and their patriotic restaurants foritstheNational winner. the There will be ainhuge, fireworks Pancake Day 2006, IHOP The sky. winner willcelebration be also announced at the end of grand finale.more has raised $5.35 millionfortoa the restaurant week.than Check the website support in the communities complete charities list of participating restaurants. in

of Sharpe and the for Magnetic Zeros, theEdward premiere marketplace regional fine Circus The The UniverSoul Whiskey Gentry and craft Soul loversRebels, and The collectors, and offers guests continues more whiletoyou enjoy youritsguilty food the chance meet and all purchase worksurge from YELLOW JACKET to the top of the live truck pleasures. esteemed artists from around the country.

To entertainment FAN reachDAY first-time collectors and establishedranks craft JAZZ ON August THE with interactive funky Saturday, 6, 3pm –its6pm, Free collectors alike,LAWN the newest show category for June 14 – August 9, 7:30pm, $15 per person in rendition of a traditional Bobby Dodd Stadium Grant Field Under $100. participating artists isatHandmade advance, $20 at the door circus.

UniverSoul has www.ramblinwreck.com Artists who sell work for under $100 will have Callanwolde Fine Arts Center captivated audiences their booths specially marked for patrons callanwolde.org from around the world Festivities at 3ap.m. on Callaway Plaza interested inbegin starting collection. with its unique brand with music, prizes, inflatables and games for The Jazz on thethat Lawn outdoor series blends circus arts, the kids.

From 4-6 p.m. the gates will open ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY FREEand OPEN HOUSE showcases a lineup of Atlanta’s jazz treasures theater music. and stadium to meet the with a 12, mixcan of enter classicthe and contemporary jazz, Marchfans 11am-3pm, Free Founded in players Atlanta over 2011 Yellow Jackets.

Football will be swing, fusion, Latin and blues.

Surrounded Atlanta Motor Speedway 17 position years ago, the audience seated with their groups at various by the natural beauty of Callanwolde’s 1500 Tara Place, Hampton will amazement as Paul stilt points on thewatch Head coach grounds it’s aplaying greatinfield. way to join friends, atlantamotorspeedway.com walkers make their way across a tight Johnson and will sign fromperformed 4-5 p.m. unwind enjoyautographs live music rope, horse riders perform death-defying and will be available for photographs by some of the finest jazz artists infrom the Visit the track’s Open House for free.

Activities stunts, and contortionists into Southeast.

Callanwolde opens itsbend 2013 series 5-6 p.m.

Please limit autographs to ONE include championship legends racing on the incredible and beautiful shapes.will be the with Ike and Friends. item perStubblefield player or coach. quarter-mile “Thunder Ring.This ”, free drawings first getown thecar 2011 football for bigopportunity prizes, drivetoyour on the track poster as well as schedule cards, ticket CHEERSPORT 2011 NATIONAL with the purchase of Labor Day NASCAR information andselect other items throughout the CHEERLEADING & DANCE tickets, fans can their seats for the Labor afternoon.

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

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

the Atlanta $30 for 2-dayMotor pass Speedway pace car and a SIMON GAMEPLAY NASCAR Sprint Series winner’s trophy, $20 for 1-day passCup TOUR Saturday, August 20gift @ shop 10am,and Free discounts much more.

Kids Under at5 AMS are Free Discover Mills Mall, Lawrenceville Georgia World Congress Center WHERE’S WALDO FESTIVAL & Atlanta www.simon.com 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT cheersport.net

JUNEGamePlay 15, EAST tour ANDREWS The Simon will connect fans of all ages to the hottest video games before Bring it on…this electrifying cheerleading they are launched and available in stores. and dance competition features teams The recently launched Nintendo 3DS competing from across America. This gaming system will take center stage with year, it expects to grow larger than ever a “Nintendo Lounge, ” with couches, with over 9003DS teams participating, from snacks and games.

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

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

Sunday, August 28, 11am – 7:30pm, Free Piedmont Park www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com

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

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TV

SAVINGS ACCOUNT

Anne Heche talks to God in her new NBC comedy series

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

“S

AVE ME,” A QUIRKY NEW situation comedy, debuted late last month on NBC. Anne Heche, an equally quirky comedic actress, stars in the series as well as serves as producer.

Her character is Beth, a woman who, after almost choking to death on a sandwich, finds salvation and becomes a direct pipeline to God. Heche recently spoke with the media about her show, her career and her own personal relationship with God. You started your career with drama, but more recently the roles you’ve taken, like Save Me and Hung, are comedy. Are you happy to be known as a comedic actress?

I think I’ve always been drawn to, you know, making people giggle. I’ve been lucky because I’ve been able to do so many different things in so many different mediums, you know? You cannot get more pleasure, I don’t think, then throwing yourself up against a wall and listening to an audience just cackle with laughter. And I guess I kind of set out to make more of those opportunities happen for myself, for sure. You know, it’s funner, probably, for people to hang out with me when I’m making them laugh than when I’m making them cry. So it gets addictive.

Your character gets messages from God. Do you any messages in real life?

I think we all get messages. I think sometimes we’re more in tune to it than others. And like Beth in my show, I probably misinterpret messages often.

And I’m going down, you know, trippy, windy roads trying to find out if I’ve interpreted them correctly. And I’m sure we all do that. It’s part of what I love about the show. We look for signs, we look for messages. Sometimes it comes in a book, sometimes it comes in the stars, and you know, we try to figure out how to make our lives work. And that’s all Beth has really tried to do. And you know, she doesn’t always do it elegantly, and certainly neither have I so I relate.

How do you personally relate to the character?

I believe that we get second chances in life. And Beth, my character, is in a situation; she’s an Ohio housewife, I’m from Ohio. That’s kind of the first of many things that Beth and I have in common.

But you know, she’s a housewife and she hasn’t done it very well. She’s not a great mom, she’s not a great wife, she drinks too much, she plays too hard, and she hasn’t really been responsible. And by the time we come in to meet her and she’s choking on a hoagie, her life isn’t great. And she gets this - she gets a second chance to do it again. I love that because I’ve been so blessed with many chances in my life that

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WE’RE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT. I HOPE PEOPLE FEEL THAT FROM THE SHOW, EVEN IF IT’S TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH. WHO’S TO SAY THAT LAUGHTER ISN’T GOD?

I’m really - I get really excited by being able to play women that get to do it all again, you know?

know, “What is - what does - what would it feel like if all of a sudden God started walking around in your body?”

So you see your own second chances in her and in the storyline.

We do come to points in our life where we need something to believe in. And whether or not we believe - or wherever we get our strength from, I think we have so much courage, everybody, to walk through this life and try to make it right. And that’s really all Beth is trying to do. She wants to do it right and she wants to make people happy along the way. And I like that. She’s a really positive person. And this message that this connection that she has with God has filled her with the joy of life. And she wants to give it to everybody like a gift.

What did you do?

I went into Hancock Park, which is where I live in Los Angeles, and I went to a gorgeous street that looked like the street where we were going to shoot; it kind of looked like Cincinnati. And I remember putting on earphones and I looked all around and was really hoping that nobody was watching me, and I started acting. I started feeling what it would feel like. Like, “What would it be like if all of a sudden I was just filled with God?” So I started running down the street and I was jumping and doing jumping jacks and shaking my leg and doing all of this goofy stuff. And I looked over and there were like two dogs and two people with their heads tilted like, “What is in that girl? What is that about?”

Whether they want it or not.

Right. Sometimes when you have that big of a gift, sometimes people don’t want it.

So it doesn’t always work out perfectly for her, but she is really trying to figure it out in a positive way. And I love all that about her. And she’s a goofball. She’s a total goofball, and so am I. But the character isn’t a cartoon, she’s a regular person.

When you’re playing a person who talks to God, you want to be sure that people believe that’s actually really happening. So that’s kind of the balance that we’re trying to strike all the time in the show, that you really believe in Beth, that she’s not - that it’s not so far, you know, so far in a realm that we don’t understand. She’s a girl just like us and it’s not really difficult to do that, but that’s what we wanted to do. We want to stay grounded, too.

How did you prepare for the role?

Well in the pilot, before Beth gets filled with God, she’s kind of a slob and a drunk. So for the first time she decides to get herself together and go out and start running. And I remember thinking, “I wonder how God feels in your body?” You

What is your relationship like with God? God is something that I have, you know, confronted, questioned, dealt with, looked at, experienced, rejected, and embraced my whole life. I’ve had a give-and-take with this God identity. And I think everybody has. I think everybody talks to God sometimes. I think everybody tries to figure God out. I think we all would love to have a helping hand. I think we would all like to trust that we’re being taken care of, that life means something. This is a story about a woman who’s dealing with that every single moment of her life, wanting the best for everybody and wanting to use that experience of God to help people.

We’re here for each other, because that’s all we’ve got. So if you can find God in a friend, if you can find God in a smile of a stranger, it’s here, you know? It’s here.

We’re here to help each other out. I hope people feel that from the show, even if it’s to make people laugh. Who’s to say that laughter isn’t God? “Save Me” airs Thursdays at 8 pm on NBC-TV.

Under The Lights

You Haven’t Seen a Movie Until You’ve Seen One At The Fox!

June Theatrical Performances THE BOOK CLUB PLAY

METAMORPHOSES

Box Office (404) 584-7450 horizontheatre.com

Box Office (404) 504-1473 gashakespeare.org

Playing through June 23 The Horizon Theatre

June 19 - July 21 Oglethorpe Georgia Shakespeare

Raiders of the Lost Ark June 14 - 7:30 PM Saturday Morning Cartoons June 15 & Aug. 17 - 10:00 AM Oz: The Great and Powerful June 15 - 7:30 PM The Book Club Play is a hilarious new comedy about books and the people who love them. Ana lives in a perfect world with an adoring husband, the perfect job, and her greatest passion: Book Club. But when her cherished circle becomes the focus of a documentary film, their intimate discussions about life and literature take a turn for the hilarious in front of the inescapable camera lens. Add a provocative new member along with some surprising new books titles, and these six friends are bound for pandemonium. Sprinkled with wit, joy, and novels galore, laughter meets literature with side-splitting results. It is delightful new play about life, love, books, and what happens when friends start reading between the lines. “If you’ve ever been in a book club you’ll love laughing with this quirky group of long-time friends as everything goes haywire,” says Horizon’s CoArtistic /Producing Director, Lisa Adler.

“This is the kind of smart romp that has become Horizon’s trademark,with Atlanta’s most talented comic actors on our stage.”

An elderly couple questions whether the end of life means the end of love. A greedy father finds he’s gotten more than he wanted when everything he touches turns to gold. A son tries to emulate his father and nearly destroys the Earth. A fearful wife learns the transformative power of love.

The characters in Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses grapple with experiences that at first seem outlandish but upon closer examination are very much like ours.

Forbidden love. Unbridled greed. Thwarted ambition. The ten deceptively simple stories in this lyrical play—which takes place around a gorgeous pool of water—reveal what it means to be human, and to be in love. This production contains brief nudity.

Georgia Shakespeare performs at the Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University. They pride themselves on offering world class theatre in a casual setting. An informative session is held prior to each performance on the picnic grounds in front of the indoor theatre venue. Rain will not affect the show.

42 June 21 - 7:30 PM Finding Nemo (10th Anniversary) June 22 - 2:00 PM Les Misérables June 22 - 7:30 PM The Birds (50th Anniversary) June 23 - 4:00 PM Django Unchained July 26 - 7:30 PM The Croods July 27 - 2:00 PM Lawrence of Arabia July 28 - 4:00 PM Breakfast at Tiffany’s Aug.18 - 7:30 PM

MORE MOVIES TO BE ANNOUNCED!

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DON’T DELAY, CALL TODAY! insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 7

Taste of the Month-BURGERS!

Where to Go for the Best Burgers in town The Vortex Bar & Grill

Midtown - 878 Peachtree Street (404) 875-1667 L5P - 438 Moreland Ave. (404) 688-1828 thevortexbarandgrill.com

No story about burgers in our city would be complete without paying our respects to the Godfather of all Atlanta burger joints, The Vortex Bar & Grill. This family-owned restaurant has consistently been awarded "Best Burger" accolades since they first opened for business back in 1992.

There are well over 20 original burger creations on the menu, and you can even build your own by choosing a unique combination of toppings. All the variations of this world famous hamburger are made with 100% choice ground sirloin and are grilled to perfection over an open flame.

They also offer homemade veggie burgers, turkey burgers and fried chicken options.

In the late 1990's the Coronary Bypass Burger made its debut at The Vortex, and was later featured on the Food Network's "Man vs. Food." Other popular selections run the gamut from the simple to the ridiculous, which include the Fat Elvis, Big Bad Voodoo Patty, Zombie Apocalypse, all the way up to their largest offering, the gut-busting Triple Coronary Bypass Burger.

The Vortex is also a drinking man's bar, featuring one of Atlanta's largest selections of beer and spirits. In addition to the great food and drink, the owner's off-beat sense of humor, no-nonsense attitude, and large collection of kooky decor have all become hallmarks of The Vortex. The Little 5 Points location features a 20-foot high "Laughing Skull" facade (pictured above), which has appeared in music videos, television commercials and even a video game – not to mention the thousands of snapshots taken by locals and tourists every day. The Midtown location is host to the world's smallest full-time comedy venue, the Laughing Skull Lounge, hidden in the back.

Be forewarned, The Vortex is not for the faint-of-heart. It is not politically correct.

Customers can still smoke inside, and you must be 18 or over to enter. All that being said, it's hard not to wonder if the recent explosion of specialty burger restaurants in our city would have ever happened were it not for the trailblazing efforts of this very popular, locally-cherished institution.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Midtown - 848 Peachtree St. (404) 870-0805 Buckhead - 3242 Peachtree Rd (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 10 oz steakburgers are made with USDA choice premium ground sirloin and grilled to order. Gordon Biersch originals include their signature Cheeseburger, the Marzen Barbecue Burger served with smoked bacon and marzen barbecue sauce and the Farmhouse with bacon jam, tomato, arugula and topped with a fried egg. Also try their selection of Kobe burgers and the California burger served with sliced avocado.

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!

Twin Peaks Restaurant

Buckhead 3365 Piedmont Road (404) 961-8946 twinpeaksrestaurant.com

Twin Peaks Restaurant, the rugged mountain lodge known for its ultimate man cave setting and beautiful Twin Peaks Girls, opened it’s largest location in Buckhead last summer. Founded in 2005 just outside of Dallas, Twin Peaks now has more than 20 restaurant locations across the nation. The Atlanta Twin Peaks offers 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, man-sized portions of classic American favorites like slow roasted Grilled Meatloaf, butterbrushed 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. Twin Peaks has an extensive selection of 29-degree draft beers from 32 taps. The girls pour and serve into huge ice-cold, frosted mugs. Twin Peaks has private rooms available for bookings and a lively rooftop patio with great views of the city and of course the Twin Peaks girls. 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.

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Friday & Saturday: 7a.m. to 10p.m.

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PG 8 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

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The Earl

East Atlanta - 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. There are also vegetarian options including the Portabello Mushroom and Black Bean burgers.

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

American Roadhouse

Virginia Highland 842 North Highland Ave (404) 872-2822 american-roadhouse.com

American Roadhouse has been providing quality food and service to Atlantans for over 23 years. Located in historic Virginia Highland neighborhood, this Zagat rated restaurant offers generous portions and down-home service.

There are several great burgers on the menu. The Hickory Burger is made with thick bacon, cheddar & barbecue sauce. Their Turkey Turkey Bacon Burger is as the name implies; made with hand-formed ground turkey, turkey bacon & muenster cheese. The Hoppin’ Jalapeño Burger comes with pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños & crispy onions. After a night out in Virgina Highland you might want to try their Hangover Cure Burger which is topped with bacon, double American, fried egg & crispy onions. Others on the menu include the Whistle Stop Burger topped with fried green tomato & pimento cheese and the classic Cheeseburger that comes with your choice of american, swiss, cheddar, muenster or pepper jack cheese. They have more than just fries to add as a side.

Try the Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Mac & Cheese or Fried Green Tomatoes. There are also a variety of other sandwiches and salads to choose from. For dinner find many great seafood entrees like Catfish, Trout & Smoked Salmon.

BEST PATIO in Buckhead

George’s Virginia-Highland 1041 N. Highland Ave (404) 892.3648 georgesbarandrestaurant.com

George’s, the iconic Virginia-Highland establishment now celebrating their 52nd anniversary, keeps winning over new fans of their famous burgers. These burgers are made from 100% ground chuck, hand-pattied, charbroiled and served on a lightly grilled whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, red onions, and a pickle spear. It comes with choice of fries, potato salad, cole slaw; swap out for tater tots or onion rings for just a little more.

There are over a dozen great burgers on the menu to choose from. Some of the favorites include the Bleu Cheese Burger, Mushroom & Swiss Burger, Canadian Bacon & Swiss Burger and the Chili Burger. They also offer three vegetarian burgers. Besides burgers, Geoge’s offers a wide range of salads and sandwiches. You will find everything from Shrimp PoBoys, Grilled Chicken Wraps, Patty Melts, Reuben sandwiches and even a blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich. There is a kids menu and they offer a wide selection of draft and bottle beer and wine served by the glass or bottle. George’s is open for lunch and dinner. Sunday (11:30am - 9:30pm); Monday (11:30am - 10:30pm); Tue-Thu (11:30am - 11pm); Fri -Sat (11:30am - 12am).

The Downwind Restaurant Dekalb Peachtree Airport 200 Airport Rd. #201 (770) 452.0973 downwindrestaurant.com

How many restaurants can boast patio seating with views of airplanes taking off and landing? The Downwind Restaurant & Lounge, a family owned establishment off of Clairmont Road can. Not only is their view superb, the food is fabulous too. Downwind boasts outstanding offerings including their award winning burgers. The Classic Downwind was voted “Best Burger in Town” and is built from a half pound of choice lean ground beef served with lettuce, tomato and onions on the side. They also have the All Natural Burger using only grass fed antibiotic and hormone free beef. You can also go beef free with their Veggie Burger or one of their great sandwiches including the blackened chicken, roasted turkey or homemade tuna.

Downwind Restaurant is also know as having some of the best seafood in Atlanta.

Pilots fly in from Florida bringing Flounder, Sea Bass and fresh Fish of the Day. You can get Alaskan Salmon, wild caught Gulf Shrimp and Atlantic Cod as an entree or on a specially made sandwich. Also find Greek specialties like the Spanikopita and Greek Spaghetti. They offer a full bar and live music every Friday night from 7pm - close.

Downwind Restaurant is family friendly with an aviation themed playground for kids.

Downwind is open Monday through Saturday 11:00am - 10:00pm and closed on Sunday.

george’s since 1961

2 Private Rooms Available

A BURGER JOINT In Virginia Highland 1041 North Highland Ave. 404.892.3648 GeorgesBarAndRestaurant.com Live Music & Entertainment • Full Bar • Daily Specials • Takeout Available

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

www.downwindrestaurant.com insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 9

FILM

THE WISDOM OF WILL SMITH

Our Favorite Quotes from America’s Favorite Hollywood Hero

BY BRET LOVE

L

ONG BEFORE BARACK OBAMA came along and provided a generation with a new vision of hope in these troubled times, Will Smith was changing the nation’s idea of the great American hero.

Starting with Independence Day in 1995, the artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince began evolving into Hollywood’s version of Captain America, defending the country against alien invasions (Men In Black), robots (I, Robot), zombies (I Am Legend) and criminals (Hancock). He also became the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films that grossed over $100 million, earning paychecks in the $20 million range for films that, according to Forbes magazine, brought in at least 10 times that much at the global box office.

But facts and figures can’t possibly tell the full story of Will Smith’s success. Statistics can’t capture the positive energy the guy brings to a room, or the broad smile that spreads like the plague, infecting even curmudgeonly critics with his unmistakable joie-de-vivre. Numbers can’t convey the genial warmth with which he tirelessly conducts interviews, or the personal depth that leads him to reference everything from Joseph Campbell’s “The Power of Myth” and Eugen Herrigel’s “Zen In The Art Of Archery” to Jungian philosophy and the Declaration of Independence in the course of a 30-minute conversation.

Whatever “It” is, the rapper-turned-actor clearly has it, emerging over the past 20 years as one of the world’s most popular entertainers, African-American or otherwise.

And now, as he returns to theaters alongside son Jaden Smith in After Earth, we thought we’d take a look back on some of the wise words he’s imparted to us in numerous interviews over the course of his career.

ON HIS 15-YEAR MARRIAGE TO JADA PINKETT-SMITH

“I really believe that a man and a woman together, raising a family, is the purest form

of happiness we can experience,” Smith insists. “You’re so much stronger when your partner is strong. I honestly believe there is no woman for me but Jada. Of all the women I’ve met, and there have been a few, no one can handle me the way Jada does. Once you feel someone locked in on you, it’s no contest.

As fine as other women can be, as tempting sexually, I’m not going anywhere. This is it. I can’t imagine what anyone else could offer.”

ON HOW HIS SON, JADEN, GOT INTO ACTING

“One night Jada and I were lying in bed reading the script for The Pursuit of Happyness. Jaden comes crawling between us and says, ‘Tell me the story, Daddy.’ I tell him and he says, ‘Pshaw, I could do that!’ We do short films around the house and he was familiar with the process, so Jada took him in the next week to set up an audition. There were 100 kids, then 50 and 20, and he was still there. [Director] Gabrielle Muccino fell in love with him: ‘I love your baby, Will! I must have your baby!’”

ON WHAT HE’S LEARNED FROM WORKING WITH HIS SON SEVERAL TIMES

“I was reading Zen & the Art of Archery, and there’s an idea in the book that you discover the connection between yourself and your goals more easily when you discover it in a childlike manner. You find it at play. I started watching him and I realized that I have a lot of different roles: I’m a producer, I’m Will, I’m a movie star, and I’m all of that stuff in the scene. Jaden is just a character. It’s a block I’ve had in my career for years, and The Pursuit of Happyness was the first time I felt free of that. I’ve been extremely excited about it ever since, and happy to have my son show me the way.”

LIFE SITUATIONS

“We live in La-la-land, which is cut off from the rest of the world. For us, traveling is hugely important in order for our kids to see and experience other things. We’ve taken them to South Africa and Italy to get them to experience how other people live. The idea of being grounded is more of a concept of how you relate to your service of mankind, and that is what we try to impart to our children.

You are a part of a whole, and you have a responsibility to uplift and be a positive influence on the whole.”

“That is always a tough question. That’s what is interesting about playing heroic characters.

You get to explore and wonder how you would react. For me, Ali was the greatest time of asking myself that question. When Ali didn’t step forward because they wouldn’t call him Muhammad Ali, and he knew he was going to jail, but still he couldn’t step forward.

I just remember thinking, in that moment, ‘What would I do?’ I just don’t know if I would be enough man to give up everything I have right now, the way Ali did, for that principle.

I like to believe that I would put my chest up and stand forward, just march on and continue to fight for the future of humanity.

I would probably find a bridge and say ‘I’m coming to join you Elizabeth.’ (Laughs) It’s a tough question, and I guess the answer is, ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t think so. You want to be tested to know what you would do, but at [the same time] you really don’t want to be tested.

That is sort of the space that I have lived in with quite a few of the roles I have played.”

ON RELIGION

ON HIS BELIEF IN THE AUDACITY OF HOPE

ON HOW THE FAMILY STAYS GROUNDED, DESPITE THEIR CELEBRITY STATUS

“I don’t necessarily believe in organized religion. I was raised in a Baptist household, went to a Catholic church, lived in a Jewish neighborhood, and had the biggest crush on the Muslim girls from one neighborhood over. I’m a student of world religion, so to me, it’s hugely important to have knowledge and to understand what people are doing. What are all the big ideas? What are people talking about? I believe that my connection to my higher power is separate from everybody’s.

I don’t believe that the Muslims have all the answers. I don’t believe the Christians have all the answer, or the Jews have all the answers.

So I love my God, my higher power, but it’s mine and mine alone. I create my connection and I decide how my connection is going to be.”

ON BEING A HERO IN REAL PG 10 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

I LOVE THE IDEA THAT YOUR DESIRE CREATES WHAT YOUR FUTURE IS. ‘THE WHITE MAN’ DON’T CREATE YOUR FUTURE, AND YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES DON’T CREATE YOUR FUTURE. YOUR DESIRE TO BE WHO YOU WANNA BE, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THAT, IS WHAT CREATES YOUR FUTURE.

“The Audacity of Hope is the idea that you’re gonna be so audacious that you’re going to believe, while sleeping on a bathroom floor, that you’re gonna own a brokerage firm one day. It takes real audacity to hope. It’s time for us to remember why and how this country was designed: ‘We, the people, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.’ There are serious, poetic ideas in the promise of what this country is supposed to be, and I believe it all starts with the Audacity of Hope.”

ON HOPE’S ROLE IN HIS OWN LIFE

“I’ve had situations where there’s been no

reason to believe that things are gonna turn out the way they’re gonna turn out. Like when Jada and I first got together. At that period in our lives, there’s no reason for us to have been successful in our relationship. A whole lot of obstacles lined up for us not to make it. We always say, ‘Divorce can’t be an option.’

Because if you allow divorce to be an option, there’s absolutely one day where you’ll check that box, so it’s audacious to remove it as an option. That’s not one of the choices we have, no matter what happens.”

ON HIS RELENTLESSLY POSITIVE ATTITUDE

“In order for my creative mind to be engaged at 100%, I need everybody in the vicinity to be in a good mood, happy and comfortable. Negative energy pulls on me creatively, so if someone’s having a bad day I find myself drawn to try to perk that person up by telling some jokes. It seems like this beautiful, selfless act, when in actuality a huge part of it is very selfish and needy.”

ON THE POSSIBILITY OF WINNING AN OSCAR

“I’ve never been an ‘award guy.’ It’s fun, but, as I tell my wife, I’m more of a ‘mall guy.’

Like, when I walk into the mall on Saturday afternoon, if they don’t shut it down, I feel like I’m slippin’. That’s how I judge my worth.

That’s how I judge the quality of my work– them having to shut down the King of Prussia Mall on Christmas.”

ON PASSION, DRIVE AND COMMITMENT

“I love the idea that your desire creates what your future is. ‘The white man’ don’t create your future, and your circumstances don’t create your future. Your desire to be who you wanna be, and your commitment to that, is what creates your future. That’s the idea this country is designed upon– Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of Happiness. That type of audacity is what it takes to be successful.”

MUSIC

THAT’S WHAT CREED SAID

Creed Bratton of The Office Tells All

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

T

ELEVISION AUDIENCES KNOW Creed Bratton from his role on the late, great NBC sitcom The Office. It might be a surprise to know that his offbeat, former ‘60s rocker character isn’t that far from fiction. As a member of the Grass Roots, the popular ‘60s band, Bratton actually was a rock star, but the adventurous singer-songwriter has been on a never ending trip of reinvention ever since. Now that the series has ended its original run, he’s eager to discuss his new solo album. Tell Me About It is his sixth release and the ambitious three-act release is billed as an “audio/biography.” A very late-‘60s happening, the record is a mind-twisting psychedelic blend of styles, songs and, of course, humor. On the day the final episode of The Office aired, and the 46th anniversary of the Grass Roots debut album Let’s Live For Today, Bratton spoke with INsite from his home in Los Angeles.

This is the anniversary of “Let’s Live For Today,” the single and the album, which, in many ways opened the “Summer of Love” in 1967. But it wasn’t much of a lovefest for the band, was it?

You know the story behind it, right? [Record executive] Jay Lasker’s daughter was in Europe and she heard that song and she told her dad, who was head of Dunhill Records, that one of his bands should record this song. So the Grass Roots cut it. We made four albums for them, but we never made any money from that.

Right, the label made money, but the bands didn’t.

That’s true. The Grass Roots, the Mamas and Papas, Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf. Dunhill was notorious for that, they just ripped off everybody. The terms we talked about in the ‘60s like “karma” and “doing the right thing,” that never entered into these guys minds. But it certainly made me aware that there were other things besides the little town I grew up in, so for that, it was great.

Now fast forward to the present. Tell us about your new album, Tell Me About It. It’s a long concept record in the digital age of singles.

We knew, going into it, that nobody’s buying albums anymore. But I had to go and do this album because it’s a concept. It’s an autobiography, so it had to be in album form, knowing that people are just going to download the singles from it. But it needs to be listened to in its entirety. It was a lot of work.

The album story is almost as incredible as your role in The Office. You basically created a spot in the show for yourself and grew to be one of the main talents of the cast. How did you maintain your craft from the late ‘60s to now?

Well, basically I stayed in classes, worked on scenes with the Sarah Fulton Group. I worked with handicapped actors for a while, I always found somewhere where I could put up a scene for an audience, to keep that muscle going, the acting muscle.

It was a very bold move to create your own character for the show.

Well, sometimes ya gotta make your breaks.

You can’t wait around for people to discover you, there are too many talented people out there. It’s just a matter of getting noticed. So

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I was working on “The Bernie Mac Show,” I started out as a stand-in, they’d give me little bits to do on camera. Ken Kwapis, who directed the first season, and he also directed the Office season finale, talk about coming full circle. He was directing an episode and it turns out he was a fan of the Grass Roots. He’s a big music aficionado. I was amazed he knew about us, but I found out her was doing the pilot for the Office. So I called him up. He’d already cast it, but he brought me in, put me in the background, like a stand-in background actor.

But he promised me he’d work me into the mix.

Your background helped, but you had to follow-through, right? And that’s a great cast to compete with.

I saw all these great actors, and I thought I’m not going to get into the mix of this, these people are competing for time, too. But I created the Creed character anyway, this musician who sort of stayed addled with the drugs and alcohol and never cleaned up his act.

Next thing you know, by season two, there’s a script on my desk, with a six and a half-page scene with Steve Carrell. That was the defining moment.

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How did it feel?

I was scared to death. I really was. I thought this is it, this is the Rubicon. This is where I cross and I have to make it. If I don’t deliver this, then it’s over. But I didn’t think it was just over for the show, I mean I thought it was over, forever. That it was the final chance I’d been given. Sure enough, I knew it backwards and forwards and on the day of the shoot, they said okay. And that’s what happens! You gotta suck it up, learn it and go from it.

Now that the show is wrapped and the album is out, what’s next?

A bunch of stuff is in the can to promote the album, videos and all that. And in the interim, I’ve been going out for films, multi-cam shows which are so different that the single camera Office that I’m used to, a couple of movies, there’s just a lot of things in the works. But I’ve had too many things in my career where people have said this and that. I’ve had movies handed to me, record deals handed to me and at the very last minute, the house of cards just falls apart. So I don’t assume anything anymore. So there’s nothing to really talk about until I sign on the dotted line, I’m standing there in makeup, the check has cleared the bank, and they say action.

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TV

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT

Howie Mandel & Mel B On America’s Hottest Reality Show

BY BRET LOVE

W

HEN I WAS A KID, VARIETY shows were everywhere you looked on television. Sonny & Cher, Carol Burnett, The Muppet Show… hell, even Johnny Cash had one. But in the ‘80s, this time-tested TV tradition fell from favor, replaced by talking cars (Knight Rider) and cops dressed like Duran Duran (Miami Vice).

In many ways, America’s Got Talent could be seen as a throwback to a simpler time in TV history. They took a dash of Star Search, a splash of The Gong Show, and a heaping helping of Tiny Tim’s bizarre marriage on The Tonight Show, then added the modern competition reality show staple of letting America vote. The result is now the toprated show on TV, eclipsing longtime ratings champ American Idol.

This season, the show will see two major changes: Judge Sharon Osborne is gone– replaced by supermodel Heidi Klum and former Spice Girl Mel B– and the live shows will now be held in the storied Radio City Music Hall. To promote the new season, longtime judge Howie Mandel and the artist formerly known as Scary Spice spoke to reporters in a telephone conference call: How do you think a comedian winning last year will change the dynamic of the show this season?

Howie: I think the heart and soul of our show is that we are the last bastion of variety.

This year, with the advent of adding two more great judges, it will be harder for acts to get through, because now we need three yeses instead of just two. I don’t know if it was about a comedian winning last year as much as it was about all the people who liked Horse. The fact that he had the nerve to get up and call what he did– getting kicked in the scrotum– talent proved that people will show up and do anything.

In what ways do you feel like having four judges this season is going to spice up the judging table?

Howie: The four people on the panel come from not only four different worlds of entertainment, but from all over the world.

We want to find an international star. We don’t want to just find somebody that wins America’s Got Talent, gets the million dollars

and ends up at Radio City Music Hall.

Are there any other changes in production or the way the audition rounds are going?

Howie: The biggest changes are that we’re going to send 55 people to the live shows in Radio City Music Hall. Obviously, the live show is going to be on a real stage that means much more than any of these other challenge shows has ever meant.

Because even when you said you’re going to Hollywood, you were going to a sound stage.

This is RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL! Why did you come back again?

Howie: I would come back as long as they continue to have me. I love this! I love watching, and I have sympathy as a fellow performer for anybody that’s willing to get up and put themselves out there– anybody who’s creative and original. I just love the energy of watching somebody get on stage and try to entertain. Talent is subjective.

Even if you’re an act that plays a stadium with 20,000 people, there’s probably two million people in that same city that chose not to buy a ticket.

Mel, you’ve judged on Australia’s The X Factor, and now you’re on America’s Got Talent. When you look over the talent, how do you think The Spice Girls would’ve done in one of these competitions?

Mel: The good thing about America’s Got Talent is that it’s not a singing show. It’s a complete variety show. [The Spice Girls] harmonized well, but I’m not quite sure how it would rank here considering that there are not just singers. There are dancers, magic acts, snakes, and danger acts. I’m not quite sure how we would do.

Howie: [The Spice Girls] wasn’t only about 5 hot women singing and dancing, but there was a message– girl power. Big parts of our voting community are young girls who watch the show and get inspired by watching dreams come true. I think [The Spice Girls] would’ve really touched a nerve.

Mel, how important was the idea of girl power, and empowering female performers, to you as a judge?

Mel: I think between me and Heidi, we root for the girls to be especially good because we’re all about supporting women.

I’d love for a woman or a girl group to win this season. We’re all about creating that girl that’s extra confident, knows herself and is not shy, ashamed, or embarrassed of who she is.

How is the chemistry for everyone on the judging panel off-camera?

Mel: I think what you see is what you get with us on-camera. Off-camera, we have even more fun sometimes because we can say totally inappropriate things to each other that wouldn’t be appropriate for a family show.

Howie: We respect each other and each other’s opinion, even though we don’t agree.

We’re all very strong-minded, opinionated people, and we’ll fight for what we think is right. It could get heated, but at the end of the day we enjoy working with each other.

What is your favorite part of this season thus far?

Howie: Just the phone conference calls that we get to do. I love this! It’s not about the camera. It’s not about the talent. This is fun for me, because I’m a germaphobe and I’m talking to so many people, yet nobody’s here with me. I love that!

Mel: I’ve been a fan of this show for years.

It’s an honor to be on that judging panel.

Is there anything you’re specifically hoping to see out of the contestants this year?

Howie: To see something so original, it doesn’t even fit a category. To see something that so new, so daring, and so different, you just go, “How did you think of that?!” The greatest and most exciting moment so far– and it’s happened more this season than any other season– is when our jaw drops and you

PG 12 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

go, “Oh, my God!!” When we look at each other without any words and think, “What is this? What are we watching?”

When people come on stage and do a comedic act, do you share more empathy towards them?

Howie: I think that being a stand-up comic is probably one of the hardest things in the competition in America’s Got Talent.

In order to achieve what you’re trying to achieve, you need to elicit more from an audience than any other act. If you’re standing up there and doing comedy, you need to hear laughter, which is a tough emotion to elicit from strangers every 30 seconds. So I do have a lot of empathy. When they go on at the end of a 14-hour day, follow something atrocious, the whole audience is tired, or it’s hot in the room, it’s really hard to do well. But I do try to remove myself from what’s happening in the room and hear [the comedy] for what it is.

Mel: I definitely think that it’s an experience to get up there and be critiqued.

It’s not always going to go your way, unless you’ve completely got your act together.

We’ve had people that have just crumbled under the pressure. We’ve had people that have just barely succeeded. I like it when I can feel those people’s nerves. I can feel the anticipation of, “Can I do it? Can I deliver?” I find that really exciting.

What was it that made you decide you wanted to judge this show?

Mel: Why not? It’s America’s Got Talent!

Everybody loves this show. Everybody watches it. Everybody talks about it. It’s one thing that you can sit down and watch with your whole family, and actually enjoy it.

FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD AFTER EARTH

(PG-13)

father in NYC. But ultimately, the only reason to see it is for the stunning performance of Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl), who nails the younger Buckley’s eccentric mannerisms and soaring falsetto perfectly. Beyond that, writerdirector Dan Algrant’s ethereal explorations of similarities between a father and son who only met once or twice are a shambled mess. Tim (Ben Rosenfield) comes across as a self-centered ass, and the climactic concert sequence– which made Jeff an instant star on the New York folk scene– captures none of Buckley’s enigmatic brilliance. There’s a great story to be told about the ridiculously talented singer’s tragically short lifereading (he drowned a followthrough aboutwhile themrecording for so many up to his but this years, butclassic a lot ofdebut, timesGrace), somebody thatisn’t youit.

–Bret Love don’t think of so highly turns out to be a star.

 Mankind has fled Earth, declaring it a quarantine zone. Aliens seeded it with creatures that hunt/ kill humans. Having no sight, they track people by sensing their fear. General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) and his son Kitai (Jaden Smith) are survivors of a starship crash onto Earth. With both of Cypher’s legs broken, he must remotely guide his son through 100km of wild while keeping him from being caught. Kitai knows that if he fails, they both die. No pressure, right?

This is another classic Will Smith Summer Movie– well done and very watchable. The dynamic between him and Jaden carries the By B. Love film, which is gravely important since, for 98% s one of AmericA’s most of the film, it’s just them against the world. successful and high profile business–Justin Patterson You just don’t know what will happen with men, Donald trump was well known

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

A

long before survivor producer mark Burnett EPIC (PG) tapped him to star in the Apprentice. But no denying that the reality show there’s Another animated that,curiosity despite six turned trump from afeature cartoonish writers, is stronger on visuals plot. into a bona fide phenomenon, with than his signaDazzling backgrounds plentiful action ture catchphrase– “You’reand fired!”– inextricasteal the focus dull characters, bly entering thefrom pop culture lexicon. voiced for aAlthough paycheck the by a Apprentice celebrity castinitially (including Steven flounTyler doing a bad Mel Brooks impression), and dered a bit in the ratings, Burnett and trump the eco-illogical story they populate.

M.K.’s stumbled upon a winning formula by recruit(Amanda father actors, (Jason Sudeikis) ing second-Seyfried) and third-tier athletes, has been searching obsessively for the edition Leafmen, models and musicians for a celebrity “an advanced society of tiny people living of the show. now in its third incarnation,in the woods. ” M.K.Apprentice shrinks down to disparate join them on the celebrity tosses the “one in 100Bret years” their queen selects stars such day as rocker michaels, wrestler an heir and their legend enemiesDarryl try tostrawberry, destroy the Goldberg, baseball Leafmen, and theron forest with them.and Yawn… but former governor Blagojevich sharon visually, wow! osbourne together for a variety of team–Steve Warren building exercises and challenges designed to test their business mettle. “the Donald, as the crazy-coiffed real FRANCES HA ” (R) estate magnate if often known, recently held  court reporters discuss show’s but Gretawith Gerwig stars astothe goofy,the awkward, current season. hilariously genuine Frances in this coming-of-

age story. It’s a modern-day love story, focused

Can youoftell us a little about the selecon one society’s mostbitintimate relationships tion process? (best girlfriends), that brushes against the hard it’s very because so truths andinteresting, tender sentiments thatmany come with celebrities want to be apart on the show afterout thewho growing up, growing and finding success the previous seasons. Filmed We you areofwhen you’re alltwo by yourself. in wanted someeffect actors, some B&W, some it’s gotathletes, a nostalgic that doubles models and some wrestlers, so i would this story’s sweetness and elevates its say candid probably six or seven people per spot we intentions. were turning down. the hardest that –Jenniferthing SmithisWilliams we really have some good people that want toFAST go on&very badly. 6But(PG-13) i guess maybe we’ll FURIOUS save them for the next show, because it looks  like going to happen.

Thethat’s turbocharged franchise is back, adding

more action and cast members. The outlaw

How is this to beU.S. different than racers are season enlistedgoing by the government past seasons? to catch a rogue SAS mechanic, who plots to Well, when you have a success like we’ve blackmail the world. Yes, seriously. Justin Lin had, you don’t like to do too many changes. has directed the last four F&F films, and is What we do have is a different tone. the cast striving to outdo himself. Familiar faces such as has been very interesting: they’ve been very Vin Diesel, Paulnasty, Walker Dwayne tough and very butand there’s also aJohnson lot of return, while beautiful MMA superstar Gina fun and humor with respect to what happens, Carano is added to the mix.

Street races which i don’t think we had in the last one.have givenJoan way [rivers] to car chases involving Indy With and with Piersarmored [morgan], tank nasty and apeople cargo plane. is over itcars, was areally really FF6 hating eachthe top, outlandish, shinyhate andeach loud.other, Not a cinematic other. these people but it’s masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, also funny. i think that might be the biggest but it IS a greatinsummer flick.

Stay for differentiation terms ofpopcorn the three casts.

HANGOVER pressure and 3the(R) heat of battle. 

What does a celebrity do to vital; reallyjust The particulars of this have movietoaren’t set themselves that they’re know that someapart toughand guyshow is pissed and Alan in it to win it?

(Zach Galifianakis), Phil (Bradley Cooper), i can you from seasons and Jeong) 2 and are Stu (Edtell Helms) and Mr. Chow1(Ken from the regular people really the reasons why. Apprentice, Director Todd Phillips wisely want to win. every once in a whileand you’ll focuses his camera on Galifianakis Jeong– have it doesn’t often. one isa quitter, crazy onbut cocaine, whilehappen the other is just icrazy. think But the reason they the do itVegas is thedust levelsettles, of by the time intensity they feel for theirincharity.

Unlike there’s a pinch of normality both. Then again, the regular somebody there’s also Apprentice, a gold heist,where a giraffe head and a works for me for a pretty good for mix, a gangsta John Goodman thrownsalary into the year, with this one the money goes to charbut there’s not nearly the amount of absurdity ity.

Last year accustomed we raised millions dollars. we’ve grown to. Thisofwon’t sit well everybody has a charity that they love; some with fans looking for masturbating monkeys are foundations they’ve set up themselves and singing Mike Tysons. They might call years in advance of and the show. so i think Phillips’ finale lazy uninspired… andthey then really fight more intense because it’s char-to the credits roll, and they’ll see the guysawake ity they’re fighting for.an Ed Helms who’s been, a ransacked house and

umm, modified, providing one last belly-bustin’

What are your favorite challenges to watch goodbye for the road. ** 1/2 the celebrities tackle?

–DeMarco Williams Well, we do have a lot of different challenges, whether we go back to the selling of the THE KINGS OF SUMMER (R) lemonade or doing something else very basic  having to deal with Proctor & Gamwithout Thisor movie two suburban teenage ble Kodak, follows etc. sometimes [sponsor-based friends (Nick Robinson and Gabriel Basso) challenges] are sort of interesting, but they’re and their oddball acquaintance (Moises Arias) expensive for us to do. the ratings suggest who decide to build a cabin in the woods that the fans’ favorite part of the show by and liveis off land for and the the summer.

There are far thethe boardroom, boardroom also some great supporting turns by seasoned has gotten longer over the years because of comedy vets like Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, that. the challenges still have plenty of time Megan Mullally and Mary Lynn Rasjkub. and we’re focused on both aspects, but we All the coming-of-age are the here– friendship have been trying tostaples lengthen boardroom tested, becoming a girl getting in the way– because of strongmen, viewer requests.

but the movie lazily bums around in search of a point. relationships, while interesting, You’re likeThe a prosecuting attorney in the never fully Do develop.

We your see problems boardroom. you meter approachand to resolutions, but we never feel fully invested. different personalities?

The around tone: Sometimes Yes,movie i thinkjumps you deal withindifferent people it’s funny, sometimes the swings differently. i deal with serious, Goldbergbut differently can be a bitwith jarring at times.Blagojevich.

In short, TheiKings than i deal Governor of Summer is a mixed bag. It’s particularly dealt with Dennis rodman andnot Joan rivers memorable,than but some will give youother a pleasant feeling differently of the contestants.

Youfade haveaway, to have ability. and then like that a halcyon summer day.

–Ian Covell

How do you feel going back in the boardroom little NOW after YOU aSEE MEhiatus?

(PG-13) i just get a great kick out of it. i really like  itAa lot. they wantPrestige-type to renew it formovie, anotherNow modern-day two or three seasons, and we’re thinking You See Me tells the story of four aspiring about that.who i likeperform having global a little“tricks” bit of aasbreak magicians their the credits. between shows, where it goes on once a year. intiation into a larger realm of magical minds.

–Justin Patterson Can you usually tell right off the bat who is It’s like Ocean’s 11 meets Burt Wonderstone, going to do well and who isn’t?

Do feelwonder bad about someone, butyou withever action, and firing a fun cast.

Woody GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (NR) that’s always the most interesting quesor is it just part of the job?

Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg have the same  to me because i’d like to think of myself tion i always feel bad… no, not always. someindie-rock legendButJeffoften Buckley asFans beingofokay with people. i’ll say,will great chemistry they had in Zombieland, James times i don’t people. hard bigger ones are Franco’s littlelike brother getsthe a much role, salivate see this art-house drama, “this onetois going to be a star,” and then which he when you really like and respect somebody Isla Fischer makes a perfect female foil, and centers on his public singing debut at a 1991 turns out to be a dud. You never really know. and they Freeman make a mistake.

Like, an exMorgan does what heasdoes best (i.e. tribute concert forknown his latethese singer-songwriter You feel like you’ve celebrities

THIS IS ANOTHER CLASSIC WILL SMITH SUMMER MOVIE– WELL DONE AND VERY WATCHABLE. THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN HIM AND JADEN CARRIES THE FILM, WHICH IS GRAVELY IMPORTANT SINCE, FOR 98% OF THE FILM, IT’S JUST THEM AGAINST THE WORLD. Our review: 

steal the show). The humor is there, the story is light, and the mystery is good. Worth a watch!

–Jennifer Smith Williams

PANDORA’S PROMISE (NR)

a trailer on a weeklong tour of obscure tourist spots in rural England. You can’t really know a person until you travel together. Without giving away too much, let’s just say several people die, hilariously, as Tina and Chris get to know each other better. The moral is that life would be simpler if you could kill everyone who pisses you off. The Brits have been doing this sort of thing since the 1940s, and they’re masters of the form. Expect big things from director Ben Wheatley and his two stars, who co-wrote the killer screenplay.

–Steve Warren

 Pandora’s Promise puts the “Fuku” in Fukushima. If Dr. Strangelove didn’t teach you “How to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” this documentary will. Or not. After glimpsing wild-eyed radical Dr. Helen Caldicott and dirty hippies protesting nukes, it focuses on converts to the pro-nuke side, who appear rational, relatable and intelligent. The truth must lie somewhere between the wildly VENUS AND SERENA (PG-13) divergent claims. The suggestion is that nuclear  power got a bad rap because the bomb came The Williams sisters deserve to have a biopic before the peaceful uses. It’s amusing that the made about them, perhaps with Beyoncé It crowd turned to Beglobal a good But It was a this and phrase, Solange Knowles.

Meanwhile, pro-nuke has toout acknowledge FLuke. durIng the very FIrst show I was a LIttLe warming, because they tout nuclear energy as documentary is an adequate placeholder, oFa the and used tellingcontestants the story of the two girls from ICompton, theexasperated only viable alternativewIth to fossilone fuels. It’s father[producer] groomed them from Mark childhood to decentthe presentation a point of viewFIred!”

I don’t whose LIne,of “you’re when the world’s best tennis players, to lift them agree with.

Burnett and I agreed to dobethe show we dIdn’t have –Steve Warren (and him) out of the ghetto. The film focuses that. we thought we’d on say, theworst heLL Venus“get and Serena’s year,out 2011, when oF here” or soMethIng. PEEPLES (PG-13) they were plagued with physical ailments, with  flashbacks on a haphazard timeline going back fact that you raised such self-sufficient ample, scott Hamilton, from the last season.

Another uptight family gets loosened up in this to their pre-teen years. Such topics as their children? i had to let scott go. i’m a great fan of scott: enjoyably formulaic comedy that showcases the marriage potential are visited and revisited, Well, i’m getting a lot of credit on the chilHe won olympic gold medals and he’s a great talents of Craig Robinson, David Alan Grier, and some momentsbeen areasking surprisingly candid, dren. everybody’s about ivanka champion. But he understood that he made Kerry Washington and S. Epatha Merkerson. considering the sisters have lived most of their and the answer is yes, she’ll be back on the a mistake on the show and i really had no Wade (Robinson) is working-class, but creative. lives in front of cameras. show. But they’re very good kids. they went choice. i felt very badly about that, because a year him withtoGrace (Washington), –Steve Warren to very good schools, and they were great iAfter considered be a great person, buthe’s i ready to propose, but she’s kept him away have to do what’s right. it’s never fun, but it’s students. i couldn’t wait to get them on the WISH HERE (R) would be into from her Sagi don’t Harbor “theorchocolate show. YOU i hadWERE no idea the show easier when like family, somebody when  Kennedys, ” which is ruled by her father (Grier), itsninth and tenth season, which is pretty they’re really, really bad.

Australians go to of Cambodia on vacation. a federal judge. A weekend at the Peeples’ Four amazing in the world television.

Three come back.

What happened to the beach house starts with Wade doing everything That line, “You’re fired,” became a pop culfourth eventually in this irritatingly wrong, including exposing thetalk family’s There’sis been lots ofrevealed news surrounding NBC ture phenomenon.

Can you aboutsecrets, the soap for opera than but it’sofnoit?spoiler to say everything will end structured lately, andfilm yourthat’s showmore does well them. origin mystery.

Most of the Cambodian tourism happily.

Tyler Perry, newly devoted to helping What you think NBC needs to do to get back it turned out to be a good phrase, but it are dispensed young filmmakers, for writerin the ratings game? with in an opening was a fluke.

Duringproduced the veryPeeples first show i was elements overGaspin before (chairman you know of what’s Tina Gordon Chism.

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Edgerton) is traveling with ihis pregnant learn it[producer] from Perry.mark Fans of Jumping Broom (Joel you know, he’s new to the role. think he’s When Burnett andthei agreed Price),jobher sister they Steph willdoknow what we to expect, and that. should goingAlice to do(Felicity a spectacular at nBc. to the show didn’t have Welike the wife Palmer), new boyfriend film evenwe’d more.

But“Get don’t need more showsand like Steph’s the Apprentice. not thought say, thebring hell young out of children here” or (Teresa (Antony When they return or you’ll haveAnd a lotallofofexplaining do aboutwent the Jeremy necessarily fromStarr). a reality standpoint, but to something. a suddentoAmerica without Jeremy, we learn the Daveimaginaand Steph they need shows that capture crazy overbut theincessant show. it sex happens innocent, talk. to be a great Sydney tion.together in Cambodia. The flashbacks are catchphrase. tV Guide or one of –Steve the major Warren slept frankly, certain that are in ondropping should entertainment magazines did a poll and, after more annoying thanshows enlightening be changed because, get someelse “Here’s Johnny!” and one other great, it was SIGHTSEERS (NR) clues as to whether sex,while drugsthey or something pretty goodJeremy’s reviews,disappearance. they don’t get Wish peopleYou #3 on the top 100 phrases in television his was behind watching. tory! so that was aand pretty honor. it’s been to get as both.

We’ve had Tina (Alice Lowe) Chrisbig(Steve Oram) have Were Here it’s cannice be viewed a cautionary tale– an amazing and an phrase that about emmytraveling nominations and a lot of taking good acbeen dating thing 3 months.

Sheamazing needs to get away to Southeast Asia, drugs, just to work. it really on, and coladesmarried, passed our andmarried that’s always getting not way, getting or, above fromseems her maddening mum, hecaught needs inspiration it’s an amazing thingtotospend watch.more time all, nice.

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so i think they’ll turn it around.

insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 13

TV

NOTHING BUT THE BLUTH

The Long-Awaited Return of Arrested Development

BY ALEX S. MORRISON

D

What is your recommendation for the most gratifying way to watch these episodes?

This is comedy and, if you watch them all back-to-back, you’ll gain something and you’ll lose something. What you’ll gain is the macro story, but you might lose some of the fun of it. Hopefully, people will be laughing a lot. But you have to watch them in order because, as it turns out, stories have to be told in order. It’s like reading a novel: There are times when it’s tiring, but then you get hooked and it’s a page-turner.

I joked recently that I thought 30 seconds a day for three years would be the best way to enjoy it, and I’m going to stand by that statement.

EBUTING IN 2003, ARRESTED Development earned 6 Emmys, universal critical acclaim, and a spot on Time magazine’s list of the Top 100 TV Shows of All-Time. Then, after 3 seasons, Fox cancelled it in 2006. But the cult comedy’s devout fans never gave up, with online petitions and near-constant rumors of a movie keeping the show’s buzz alive. Now, 7 years later, the exceptional original cast (including Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera, Will Arnett, David Cross, Jessica Walter and narrator Ron Howard) is back for a 15-episode run on Netflix. Creator/producer OUR HOPE IS THAT Mitchell Hurwitz recently spoke with reporters about the IT STILL LEADS TO A eagerly-awaited reunion of TV’s MOVIE, OR AT LEAST most beloved dysfunctional SOME MECHANISM family, the Bluths.

Did you take advantage of the freedom that Netflix gives you, as opposed to broadcast networks?

We actually do have OF DOING MORE nudity in the show. I Since this project was CONTENT ABOUT won’t tell you who, but it’s announced, it’s gone from 10 THIS FAMILY. IF THIS one of the principal cast episodes to 15. How did that members. We had to say, work with Netflix?

IS SUCCESSFUL, “Please, stop taking your Netflix has been very I HOPE THAT WE clothes off! The scene generous. My initial idea was to doesn’t call for it!” But we FIND SOMEONE TO take the nine characters and do more or less embraced the nine episodes. But there were all UNDERWRITE OUR idea of the old show, being sorts of things in the story that filtered by this invisible EFFORTS EVERY just transcended one episode, narrator. We cover certain COUPLE OF YEARS. so I’m glad they gave us this things up. We decided that flexibility. We’d find out that you’re still not allowed to there was a piece of Jessica’s say bad words, because we do want younger episode that we could put into the Buster people to be able to watch it. But there episode, that actually made it funnier. With are a lot of things that have two meanings, the first couple of episodes, we labored to and there’s still a lot of bleeping. So there’s make it under 30 minutes. Jessica’s episode some inappropriate humor in it, but we is 35 minutes. I worked and worked, working don’t swear. out these stories. The average script is about 26 pages, but I’d gotten to page 50 and still Are you going to go online to get feedback hadn’t gotten to the halfway point for one of on fans’ reactions? the shows. So I was in a panic. When I called It’s an excellent question, but I’ve not Ted Sarandos, he said, “We’ll take more,” and given any thought to how I’m going to get that was a big time-saver for me. It really feedback. I imagine I’m going to call Ted was all dictated by the story: We set out this Sarandos and say, “What have you heard?” whole story we wanted to tell. because Netflix will know everything.

It’s going to be interesting, because they This feels like the first series specifically put don’t have a lot to compare it to. But we’re together to take advantage of how Netflix all human beings, and we all care about works. Did that give you more freedom, or what people think of us. In general, their did you feel more constrained? outlook is, “We’re not looking at opening I just loved the idea of exploiting the night numbers: We want this to be part technology. So we spent a lot of time of the reason you come to our service.” I thinking about how to take advantage of think it allows for more creativity in the the opportunity, and that became the great process. It allows people to make interesting challenge. We knew we had an audience that programming that maybe wouldn’t have a would be interested in details. With the first place on broadcast networks. show, we had all sorts of things you could only get if you were able to pause. We weren’t What are your expectations for on DVD yet, and DVRs hadn’t had that kind these episodes? of penetration. So this is an extension of that.

I’m not happy about them, to be honest.

These shows are going to catch the audience I really feel like we should all just lower up on what has happened with this family. our expectations. That would be great for Everybody endured the economic collapse me! I’m joking, of course. It’s very, very of 2009, and that led to a concurrence of flattering that the fans are this interested, events. What Netflix does is allow audiences and it’s such a different experience than a chance to jump around [between episodes] when we first made the show and nobody pretty easily. Hopefully, that informs the knew what it was. In the last couple of days telling of the stories. We we wanted the rules I’ve started getting nervous. My shoulders of the world to be consistent: If there was were up around my ears at the premiere, at blue make-up on the wall, it will stay there Grauman’s Chinese theater, because it was the next week; if somebody smashes a hole overwhelming. It doesn’t feel like the kind of in the wall, that hole will be there the next reunion shows we’ve seen in the history of week. It became the aesthetic of the show to the medium, where everybody comes back create as much of a reality as we could. a little infirmed and tries out the old jokes.

We’re really trying to do something different, PG 14 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

and I think that’s what made it viable for us. What might initially make it a little confusing to an audience will also hopefully reward them.

Why did it take so long to make this fourth season, and what is the status of the movie now?

Timing is everything. At first, it was too soon. Then the time was right, but the cast and I were all busy with other things.

By the time we sat down to work on the

VIDIOTS UPCOMING DVD RELEASESAND REVIEWS

BY BRET LOVE, JOHN MOORE AND LEE VALENTINE SMITH

BRICKS AND MORTAR AND LOVE With all the excitement generated for Record Store Day the third Saturday every April, you might assume the independent record store was doing just fine. But, as this documentary reminds us, in most cases the small mom-andpop record shop is barely surviving.

The movie focuses on Ear X-tasy, Lexington, KY’s legendary indie store, as it makes a very public plea for survival. Intimate and, at times, surprisingly sad, the film is a love letter to and from diehard music fans.

CITIZEN HEARST This William Randolph Hearst documentary is best divided in two halves. The first is a compelling look at one of the most iconic figures in U.S. newspaper history, and this doc does a great job of covering his rise to power– warts and all– as head of a journalism empire. The second half, focusing on the Hearst brand in modern times, comes off like a rah-rah corporate video played before the company picnic to pump everyone up and make them feel great about their jobs.

Narrated by William H. Macy, and including interviews from many in the Hearst family, the documentary is worth watching for anyone with a genuine interest in the history of America’s newspapers.

LONGMIRE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Haven’t yet heard of this relatively unheralded A&E gem? If you dig westerns, mysteries, and/ or charismatic anti-heroes, it’s definitely worth a look. Australian actor Robert Taylor (The Matrix) stars as Sheriff Walt Longmire, whose

movie, enough time had passed that a different story emerged. It was no longer as interesting to see some sort of family adventure movie. What became compelling was the history of what’s been going on in this family’s life, and that gave birth to the new TV show. Our hope is that it still leads to a movie, or at least some mechanism of doing more content about this family. If this is successful, I hope that we find someone to underwrite our efforts every couple of years. struggles to get his life back on track a year after his wife’s death while solving crime in the Big Sky country of Wyoming. Working with a new female deputy (Katee Sackhoff, Battlestar Galactica), he juggles dark secrets from his past and tangled relationships while running for reelection. It’s one of cable’s most promising new shows.

THE NEWSROOM Master wordsmith Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The West Wing) divides audiences and critics alike with this HBO show focused on cable news show seeking to return to the good ol’ days of hard-hitting journalism. In the opening episode, veteran anchor Will McAvoy goes off on a hyper-literate diatribe about why America is no longer the best country in the world, setting the stage for a season of incisive pontification about everything that’s wrong with our nation, politics, war, the news… you get the picture. If you disagree, you’ll find the show to be sermonizing and sanctimonious, but those who agree with Sorkin’s passionate sociopolitical diatribes will often find themselves shouting “Amen!”

TRUE BLOOD: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON In True Blood’s fifth season, there are no new introductions of mythical creatures, the episodes aren’t as dark, and the sexual tension isn’t constantly boiling over. Vampire frenemies Bill and Eric are captured and tortured by the increasingly dysfunctional Vampire Authority, the political/religious group that rules over the undead. Headed up by the suavely evil vampire Roman (played by SVU’s Christopher Meloni in a brilliant casting coup), the VA’s internal power struggles dominate the storyline. The final episode will make you question relationships solidified back in the first season, putting an exclamation point on one of the show’s most addicting seasons yet.

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BOOKS

WRITING BOOKS, SEEING FRIENDS AND MAKING ALL OF US LAUGH

Purchase in advance at DecaturDBA.com Tickets for Children ages 3-12: $5 ea.

(Includes all games and activities)

Ross Matthews’ Cheery Approach to Telling His Celeb-Obsessed Life Story

Free admission for children 2 and under.

Dig Your Toes into 60 Tons of Sand on the Ponce de Leon Beach! the

BY JENNIFER SMITH WILLIAMS

I

How is it different making the public KNOW YOU KNOW THAT PERSON laugh, than your family? who overuses the phrase, “oh my gosh, Someone told me once that when I am that’s my best friend!” Well, add this guy on a microphone, I should just pretend like to the list. That’s Ross Matthews, through I’m talking to my best friend. And that’s and through. what I do. I love having 45,000 friends. It’s And as you may my favorite part best know him as about being Chelsea Handler’s on TV. side bar comedian on her late show or And touring? as “Ross the Intern” Do you like on Jay Leno, you that as much as undoubtedly know being on TV? him for that jovial Oh I love it. high-pitched giggle You know, for and an unmatched the first hour enthusiastic and a half it’s vernacular from just me, up somewhere in a there, making crowd (or channel people laugh surfing). Either and that’s way, as one of the fun. But then, nicest, most candid afterwards I people you’ll ever sign every single have the pleasure book, take every to let make you single picture laugh, Mathews and literally really is someone wait until the you probably want last fan has left. to be best friends Sometimes I with. want to fast I got the chance forward through to snag a few the show so I minutes of Mathews’ can get to the part where I can hang out and time as he was knee-deep in his new book meet my fans. tour (coming to The Buckhead Theatre on Thursday, June 6th at 8pm), celebrating That’s gotta wear you out, so where can the release of his new memoir, Man Up! those fans find you post Tales of My Delusional show?

Self-Confidence. We spent They won’t, because I’m a quick half-hour discussing back in my hotel room, his funny roots in Mount asleep.

Vernon, Wa., his positive outlook on life and his postWhen: Not a night owl? show guilty pleasures. His One of my guilty pleasures THURSDAY, JUNE 6 book covers the funny, the is Happy Hour and day embarrassing, the sad and Where: drinking and being able to the happy parts of a rural THE BUCKHEAD go to bed early. youth to a city-inspired THEATRE young adulthood. He bares So no, and if you’re it all and makes you laugh How not sleepy? all the way. If you weren’t Watching movies that I THEBUCKHEADTHEATRE.COM already a fan, let me be the know all of the words to, (404) 843.2825 first to sway you in the way like Steel Magnolias and of yay. Ross Mathews is TICKETMASTER OUTLETS Pretty Woman. comedy’s funniest boy next door.

And if you weren’t funny?

What would So when did it hit you that you were you be? funny?

A hairstylist. Heck, I’ll probably be a Really, when I was little. I just made my hairstylist when I retire anyways. I mean, I parents laugh all the time, and I had one of can French braid like a mo-fo. I learned that those typical older brothers who would just from Molly Landress. beat up on me, and I realized the only way to get him to stop was to make him laugh.

You’re from a small town outside Seattle.

How is that different from where you And now? Why do you think people love are now? you now?

It might as well be Mars. Right now, I split I think it’s all about point of view, and my time between LA and Palm Springs. But, authenticity. I love pop culture. I love to I love doing shows at home. It’s all my old bargain shop. I’m still not really a fancy friends and my family. Even my orchestra person. I was just an intern on The Tonight teacher from elementary school was in the Show with a stupid amount of confidence. crowd. My mom, my grandma. And, for People have witnessed me coming into the record if you did hand me a violin right my own. now, I could still play something.

ROSS MATTHEWS

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insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 15

r e m m u Guide S 2013

FILM FESTIVALS 2013 COCA-COLA SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL

The Fox Theatre kicks off the 2013 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival in June with six Oscarwinning films – the adventure classic Raiders of the Lost Ark, the 10th Anniversary of Finding Nemo, two of this year’s “Best Picture” nominees Les Misérables and Django Unchained, the Director’s Cut of Lawrence of Arabia, and the romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Direct from movie theatres, the fantasy adventure, Oz the Great and Powerful, the story of Jackie Robinson 42, and the animated comedy adventure, The Croods will all play on the Fox Theatre’s 26 feet high x 56’8 wide big screen.

The Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival will also include the 50th Anniversary of The Birds and the popular Saturday Morning Cartoons.

Additional blockbuster films will be announced at a later date.

In addition to seeing a movie on the biggest screen in Atlanta, the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival offers a magical pre-show experience that includes a sing-along with the Mighty Mo organ and a vintage cartoon. Movie tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

Tickets will be available at the Fox Theatre Ticket Office and may be purchased online at www.foxatltix.com or 855-ATL-TIXX. All tickets are general admission. Additional films in the 2013 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

The 8th Annual Flicks on 5th Summer Film Series kicks off June 5th for 4 weeks of incredible movies in the streets of Midtown with the picturesque skyline as a backdrop. 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). Produced by the Georgia Tech Student Activity Association, Flicks on 5th is open to all Tech students and Atlanta area residents. Join us each week at 7pm for pre-movie entertainment, activities and FREE popcorn while supplies last. 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: Identity Thief (June 5), Snitch (June 12), Silver Linings Playbook (June 19) and Warm Bodies (June 26).

For more information on this year’s Flicks on 5th Summer Film Series visit www.flickson5th.

PG 16 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

net, find it on Facebook www.facebook.com/ Flickson5th or Follow on Twitter @Flickson5th

ATLANTIC STATION MOVIES IN THE PARK

Atlantic Station’s outdoor summer movie series, Movies in the Park, is offering free movie screenings each Thursday in their Central Park through August 15. 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: Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (June 6);Skyfall (June 13); Hunger Games (June 20) and Man on a Ledge (June 27). Visit www.atlanticstation.com for full schedule.

ATLANTA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

The AtlantaFoundation for Public Spaces now offers two Summer Movie Series: Chastain Park and Town Brookhaven. Movies begin at dusk and gourmet Food Trucks, beer and wine will be available. Chastain’s line-up is as follows: The Odd Life of Timothy Green (June 13), Warm Bodies (June 26), Jack the Giant Slayer (June 27) and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (July 18). Town Brookhaven’s line-up includes: Ice Age: Continental Drift (June 6), We Bought a Zoo (June 20), Parental Guidance (July 11) and Breakfast at Tiffany’s (July 25). For more information visit www.chastainparkmovies.com

LOCAL EVENTS ASO PERFORMS FINAL FANTASY June 7–8 Photo Credit: © 2009, Distant Worlds: 2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Music from Final Rights Reserved.

CHARACTER DESIGN: Fantasy will TETSUYA NOMURA return to Atlanta June 7 and 8th at 8:00p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. The program will feature iconic selections from the video game’s internationally popular 25-year catalogue of music. Grammy Award-winning conductor Arnie Roth will lead vocalist Susan Calloway and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in this unique multimedia experience, which will include exclusive HD video of the game’s most memorable sequences provided by the Final Fantasy game developers, Square Enix. The ASO will perform selections from Final Fantasy by Japanese composer Nobuo Uematsu, one of the most celebrated composers in the history of video game music. For more information visit www.atlantasymphony.org

PEACHTREE HILLS FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS June 8–9

The second annual Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts will bring 200 artists to the shady, treelined neighborhood June 8-9. The community has embraced the event, with homeowners and local businesses posting signs inviting visitors to their historic neighborhood. Events will be held in and around the Peachtree Hills Park & Recreation Center, including food, acoustic music and activities for kids. Experience this year’s festival like never before with the introduction of the VIP Wine Experience at Peachtree Hills. The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) parking lot will be transformed into a chic wine garden for the first LivingSocial Wine Festival. Guests will enjoy unlimited tastings of over 100 wine and cheese pairings at this unique ticketed event. For more information visit www. peachtreehillsfestival.com.

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 help support other popular Decatur events and activities that are offered free to the community. Visit www. decaturdba.com for more information.

ATLANTA SUMMER BEER FEST June 22

ATLANTA FRINGE FESTIVAL June 5–9

The 2nd annual Atlanta Fringe Festival brings adventurous local and national artists together for a four-day celebration of live performances from across the theatrical spectrum. It will feature 24 productions from 10 states including 14 from the Atlanta area. Expect a wide variety of performances with everything from dance theatre, spoken word, circus performance, puppetry, comedic monologues, to traditional ensemble theatre. 7 Stages in the heart of Little Five Points is the venue sponsor and will host performances plus opening and closing night parties. Fringe artists will also be performing at the nearby Theatrical Outfit, the Village Theatre and in two spaces at The Horizons School on Dekalb Avenue. For more information visit www.atlantafringe.org

DECATUR BEACH PARTY June 14

The Atlanta Summer Beer Fest returns to the Masquerade Music Park Saturday June 22 from 4 – 9pm for the fourth consecutive year. They will have over 150 beers on hand including local Atlanta breweries SweetWater, Terrapin, Red Brick, Wild Heaven, Jailhouse, Red Hare and Monday Night. A full list of beers will be posted the week of the festival. There will also be plenty of fun attractions this year, including the return of the Bud Light Game Zone, live music on 2 stages, and great food and live music. Be sure to check out their Facebook page to get all of the updates. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 after June 13 and $48 the day of the event. Tickets are now on sale at www.atlantabeerfestivals.com

PEACHTREE ROAD RACE July 4 The AJC Peachtree Road Race has distinguished itself as one of the premier Fourth of July traditions in Atlanta. This year’s 44th annual Peachtree Road Race will 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. Event participants and spectators are strongly encouraged to take MARTA. MARTA will begin running at 5 a.m. on race day For more information on how to volunteer go to www.peachtreeroadrace.org

4TH OF JULY AT LENOX SQUARE July 4 On Friday, June 14 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 A1A - The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show. Activities include children’s boardwalk games and attractions, face painting, sand fun and more. Adult tickets can be purchased in advance online for $7 ($10 at the gate);

r e m m u Guide S 2013

For over half a century, Lenox Square has celebrated stars and stripes in grand tradition with activities for the entire family. This year’s activities will include musical entertainment, food concessions and the largest fireworks display in the Southeast. This year Lenox Square will host its inaugural talent search, ‘Atlanta’s Next Legend’ where the crowned winner will perform in front of crowds filled with family and friends. Activities open for a full-day of family fun at 10 a.m. Musical entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with Jimmy Buffet tribute band Sons of Sailors.

At 7 p.m. the crowned winner of Lenox Square’s new talent search, ‘Atlanta’s Next Legend’ performs and at 7:30 p.m. show headliners Party on the Moon takes the stage. Fireworks scheduled to begin at approximately 9:40 p.m.

Everyone is invited to experience Atlanta’s patriotic celebration as Lenox Square lights up the sky on the Fourth of July! www.simon.com

ASO ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION July 5

ASO Staff Conductor Jere Flint will lead the Orchestra and a chorus in a program of patriotic songs, beloved anthems and singalongs capturing the heart of freedom. Light up your July 4th weekend at the Orchestra’s annual holiday tradition. The evening will conclude with a post-concert finale featuring soaring fireworks.

Single tickets for these performances are $15 to $45. All single tickets for the 2013 summer season are on sale now, and available online at www.vzwamp.com or by calling (404) 733-5000.

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK LASERSHOW Nightly All Summer Long State-of the-art digital graphics and aweinspiring effects create multi-dimensional 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 July 20 The Gala, A Gathering of Colors, is the largest fundraising event presented by NBAF and proceeds from this event fund our year-round programming— including film, visual arts,

canoe or raft down this six-mile journey of the Chattahoochee River. Call 678-538-1200 to register or go to www.vivistsandysprings.org for more information.

summer festival and performing arts, in addition to education and public programming events.

Each year the Gala is planned around a special theme. The 2013 Gala will celebrate A Love Note to Broadway with film, dance, theatre, art and music. Guests will enjoy a gala cocktail reception before the main event in the Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta, Grand Ballroom, featuring video presentations, entertainment with an elegant dinner especially designed to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of NBAF. The celebration will end with a dazzling After Party featuring a dessert buffet, champagne with music and dancing. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nbaf.org.

BB&T ATLANTA OPEN July 20–28 The 2013 BB&T Atlanta Open returns July 20 – 28 to Atlantic Station. For the first time the Bryan brothers are scheduled to play the tournament.

The Bryans are recognized as the best men’s doubles team of all time, holding the records for Grand Slam victories, tour crowns and end-of-the-year No. 1 rankings. Returning players include two-time champion Mardy Fish, former Georgia Bulldog John Isner and defending doubles titlist Ryan Harrison. This year all of Stadium Court’s nearly 4,000 spectators will enjoy individual seats with backs. Lexus Inner Circle and Suite seats will feature padded, tip-up seats. Tickets are available for purchase in each of the 11 sessions from qualifying weekend July 20-21, starting as low as $6, through the two finals on Sunday, July 28. Visit www. bbtatlantaopen.com or call 404-881-2000 for tickets and information.

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER SUMMER SPLASH July 27

DRAGON*CON August 30–September 2 Dragon*Con returns to Atlanta for 4 Days this Labor Day Weekend August 30 – September 2. Located in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Atlanta Sheraton, and the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, DragonCon and its 50,000+ attendees will almost literally 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 music, late night dances and a Walk of Fame, where most media guests will be signing autographs. Lou Ferrigno, Erin Gray, Paulo Goddard, Traci Lords and Lee Majors are just a few of the dozens of celebrities slated to attend this year’s extravaganza. Tickets are $115 through July 15 and $130 thereafter. For more information, visit www.dragoncon.org.

AREA ATTRACTIONS TITANIC THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION

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-closeand-personal animal encounters. New this summer are Lemur Wild Encounters that allow visitors to go behind the scenes and meet and feed these endangered primates that make the forests of Madagascar their home.

You can also experience Wild Encounters with the Aldabra tortoise. Also happening this summer at Zoo Atlanta are Summer Safari Day Camp, and Members Only Nights. Visit www.zooatlanta.org for details.

SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA

Six Flags White Water Six Flags Over Georgia boasts thrilling roller coasters, headlined by the hyper-coaster Goliath, one of the tallest coasters in the Southeast and Mind Bender, the classic triple-looping coaster. There are also many thrill rides including the new SkyScreamer. Skull Island features slides and splashes for guests of every age. Plus Bugs Bunny World provides hours of fun for the smallest guests. There are entertainment events including their Concert Series and a July 4th Celebration. Make sure to also visit Six Flags White Water, the Southeast’s largest water park. The park also features Buccaneer Bay, an interactive area spans several acres and includes water slides, a pop-jet and spray area and a 25-foot tall interactive play ship. For more information visit www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia

GEORGIA AQUARIUM Now Featuring Never-Before-Seen Artifacts!

Take in this unique experience while viewing more than 200 artifacts recovered from the bottom of the ocean. The Exhibition has been created with a focus on Titanic’s compelling human stories told through authentic artifacts and exacting re-creations of the Ship’s interior.

Delicate bottles of perfume, china bearing the logo of the elite White Star Line, and many other objects collected from the wreck site offer poignant connections to lives abruptly ended or forever changed Tickets by oneOnofSale theNow! world’s greatest maritime tragedies. The Artifact Exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life of TitanicAtlanta.com Titanic and is appropriate for all ages. For more information visit www.titanicatlanta.com 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

Make a splash at the coolest event this summer Saturday, July 27 in Sandy Springs.

The float begins at 9am at the Morgan Falls Dam just 10 minutes north of Atlanta and winds down to Powers Island. Travel via kayak,

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

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

With more than eight million gallons of fresh and marine water and more aquatic life than found in any other aquarium, you are sure to see things you’ve never seen before at The Georgia Aquarium. New this year is the Dolphin Encounter Program. In this exhilarating new poolside animal interaction, you’ll go backstage inside the dolphin theater to meet, touch and feed one of their star dolphins. See up-close many of the ways they care for their dolphins, participate in a training session, and touch a dolphin during this hands-on poolside encounter. The new Sea Otter Encounter allows you to go behind the scenes at the otters’ home in the Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest Gallery and interact with these fun loving animals. The Red, White & Brew, A July 4th Beer Fest celebrates the all-American holiday with awesome beer, food, live music and fun. Hosted on the Aquarium’s massive parking deck rooftop, Red, White & Brew gives you the best seats in town for Centennial Olympic Park’s spectacular fireworks show. For additional information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 17

Outdoor Music Venue Guide The Most Anticipated Shows of the Summer Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

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

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre also serves as the summer home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Some of the highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: Hank Williams, Jr & Gregg Allman (June 21); Phish (July 16 & 17); Keith Urban (July 27) and STS9 w/ Umphrey’s McGee (August 24). For ticket information visit vzwamp.com.

Keith Urban - July 27

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: World Classic Rockers featuring original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Toto, Steppenwolf, Journey and Santana (June 8); The Temptations and The Four Tops (June 29); Toad the Wet Sprocket (July 13); Grand Funk Railroad & Spin Doctors (Aug 10) and Huey Lewis & The News (Aug 23).

The Fred is just a short drive from Atlanta. Take I85 South to exit 61 (Fairburn /Peachtree City).

For ticket information visit amphitheater.org.

Huey Lewis - Aug 23

ASO Classic Chastain

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. Some of the most anticipated performances for the upcoming season include: Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel w/ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (June 5); Joan Baez & Indigo Girls (June 15); Straight No Chaser (June 28) and Anita Baker July 29 Anita Baker (July 19). For ticket information visit classicchastain.com.

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: Brad Paisley (June 23); Pitbull (June 27); Vans Warped Tour (July 25) and Train (July 31). For ticket information visit livenation.com.

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Atlanta's largest and premier dedicated concert venue in the Southeast since 1989.

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood was built specifically for popular music, designed to offer a state of the art musical experience for both patrons and performers. Superior sound reproduction,

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES! June June 29 8

o n SalE

noW!

Presented By

Sat: June 1

JBL Presents Summerland Tour 2013

EvErclEar / livE FiltEr / SpongE 2013

For more concert information visit us on twitter, Facebook G

G 201 McIntosh Trail Peachtree City, GA 30269

World Classic Rockers

The Temptations ....and The Four Tops

Fri: June 21

Hank WilliamS, Jr. grEgg allman Sun: June 30

SPOTLIGHT CONCERT July 12

cirQUE mUSica

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Jere Flint, conductor Fri: July 5

SPOTLIGHT CONCERT July 13

July

20

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Jere Flint, conductor•Vocalists•Fireworks July 16 /July 17

The Ultimate Tribute

Where the Action Is Tour

all-amErican cElEBration

pHiSH Fri: July 19

roBErt plant Toad the Wet Sprocket and Special Guest: 2010 American Idol Winner, Lee DeWyze

prESEntS tHE SEnSational SpacE SHiFtErS Bombino Sat: July 20

tHE Black croWES tEdEScHi trUckS Band The London Souls

CALL FOR TICKETS 770.631.0630

Fri: July 26

Last Summer On Earth 2013

BarEnakEd ladiES BEn FoldS FivE / gUStEr Sat: July 27

kEitH UrBan

Little Big Town / Dustin Lynch August 13

pEtEr Frampton B.B. King / Sonny Landreth August 15

tHE killErS August 17

cHicago Sat: August 24

StS9 UmpHrEY’S mcgEE LABOR DAY! September 2

allman BrotHErS Band Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Sat: September 7

StEElY dan Sat: September 28

Fall oUt BoY Panic! At The Disco October 8

FUn.

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

www.amphitheater.org

PG 18 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets • TICKETMASTER.COM

Tickets also at the Amphitheatre box office and the Woodruff Arts Center box office.

All artists and schedules subject to change without notice. All tickets subject to service charge.

Concerts rain or shine.

CONCERT CALENDAR SATURDAY JUNE 1 529 This House BLIND WILLIES Big Bill Morganfield CENTER STAGE Eric Roberson EARL Smithsonian EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S JT Speed MASQUERADE Marianas Trench SMITH’S Col Bruce & AJ Ghent STAR BAR PBR’BQ! VERIZON Everclear, Live, Filter VINYL Brother Grey WILD BILL’S Rehab SUNDAY JUNE 2 EARL Bonaventure EDDIE’S ATTIC Molly Parden FAT MATT’S Snake Legs MASQUERADE Face to Face TABERNACLE Fall Out Boy VINYL Afton Showcase MONDAY JUNE 3 529 Ominous Castle EDDIE’S ATTIC Between States Tour FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast STAR BAR Amateur Comedy TUESDAY JUNE 4 529 Vaginors EARL Hot 8 Brass Band EDDIE’S ATTIC Paul Kelly FAT MATT’S Burning Time FOX LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Public Enemy MASQUERADE Legalize Loud VINYL Big Sam’s Funky Nation WEDNESDAY JUNE 5 529 Screaming Females CENTER STAGE Kelly Rowland CHASTAIN Atlanta Symphony Orchestra EARL Snowden EDDIE’S ATTIC John Trasher FAT MATT’S Georgia Flood STAR BAR Resurrection Dance Party WILD BILL’S Clancy Kimber THURSDAY JUNE 6 529 Pharmakon AARON’S Rascal Flatts w/ Band Perry EARL Radiation City EDDIE’S ATTIC Stephen Kellogg FAT MATT’S Chickenshack FOX The Postal Service MASQUERADE The Menzingers SMITH’S The 9 Songwriter Series STAR BAR W.I.C. TABERNACLE Tracy Morgan VINYL The Slide Brothers FRIDAY JUNE 7 529 Hawks EARL Noot d’ Noot EDDIE’S ATTIC Hot Club of Cowtown FAT MATT’S Swamp Funk Quartet MASQUERADE Big Boi SMITH’S Lara Oshon VARIETY Acoustic Hot Tuna VINYL Nate Currin SATURDAY JUNE 8 529 Comedy Hour CENTER STAGE PJ Morton EARL Jacuzzi Boys EDDIE’S ATTIC Alyssa Graham FAT MATT’S Sly Dog MASQUERADE Almost Kings SMITH’S Morgan Shaughnessy STAR BAR PLS PLS VARIETY LawJam WILD BILL’S NFC Fight Night SUNDAY JUNE 9 EARL Iceage EDDIE’S ATTIC Lindsey Hinkle FAT MATT’S Snake Legs MASQUERADE Battle of the Bands VARIETY The Tallest Man On Earth VINYL E-Dirty, Peter-Z, J Alston

MONDAY JUNE 10 529 Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE The Whigs PHILIPS Fleetwood Mac STAR BAR Amateur Comedy TUESDAY JUNE 11 529 Mice In Cars EARL Night Beds EDDIE’S ATTIC Marshall Ruffin FAT MATT’S Burning Time MASQUERADE Cannibal Corpse TABERNACLE Billy Idol VINYL The Step Kids WEDNESDAY JUNE 12 529 Hunger 14 EDDIE’S ATTIC John Fullbright FAT MATT’S Georgia Flood MASQUERADE ABK SMITH’S The Dirty River Boys TABERNACLE Hot Chelle Rae & Owl City THURSDAY JUNE 13 529 Bad Kidz EARL Two Gallants EDDIE’S ATTIC Carrie Rodriguez FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Say Anything SMITH’S The Railers VINYL Eric Lindell & The Sunliners FRIDAY JUNE 14 EDDIE’S ATTIC Matthew Mayfield FAT MATT’S Johnny Scales MASQUERADE Torch SMITH’S Chris Knight WILD BILL’S Country Showcase SATURDAY JUNE 15 529 Boriz Records Fest CHASTAIN Joan Baez & Indigo Girls EARL Zero Boys EDDIE’S ATTIC Bobby Bare Jr. FAT MATT’S Mr. Chapmans Quarterly Revue LOFT Have A Heart Benefit MASQUERADE Unifier PHILIPS HOT 107.9 Birthday Bash 18 SMITH’S Freedy Johnston VARIETY Leo Kottke WILD BILL’S Jawga Boyz

SMITH’S Yarn STAR BAR Easy Beat TABERNACLE Kendrick Lamar VINYL Volt Music Series

WEDNESDAY JUNE 26 529 Golden Pelicans EARL Deafheaven FAT MATT’S Georgia Flood FOX The Tenors STAR BAR Rock-n-Roll Blackout

FRIDAY JUNE 21 529 Merchandise CENTER STAGE Bangkok Fight Night EARL Kylesa EDDIE’S ATTIC Ellis Paul FAT MATT’S Spanky & The Love Handles MASQUERADE Four Nights Gone PHILIPS One Direction SMITH’S Packway Handle Band STAR BAR The Baptist Generals VERIZON Hank Williams Jr., Gregg Allman

THURSDAY JUNE 27 529 Left Field Experiment AARON’S Pitbull & Ke$ha EARL Superhumaniods EDDIE’S ATTIC Diane Durrett FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Phone Calls From Home SMITH’S Dangermuffin STAR BAR Abby GoGo

SATURDAY JUNE 22 529 Comedy Hour CENTER STAGE Hamid Askari EARL Clashinista EDDIE’S ATTIC Joe Grandsen FAT MATT’S Billy George MASQUERADE Atlatna Summer Beer Fest SMITH’S Moontower STAR BAR Rolling Nowhere

FRIDAY JUNE 28 529 The NEC CENTER STAGE Kindred The Family Soul CHASTAIN Straight No Chaser EDDIE’S ATTIC Cumberland Collective FAT MATT’S Jigsaw Johnson MASQUERADE Jill Andrews SMITH’S The Higher Choir VINYL Rad ‘80s Prom Party

SUNDAY JUNE 23 AARON’S Brad Paisley EARL Mikal Cronin EDDIE’S ATTIC Erick Baker FAT MATT’S Snake Legs LOFT Midnight Red MASQUERADE The Endgame WILD BILL’S Summer Pop Fest

SATURDAY JUNE 29 529 Mood Rings AARON’S Americanarama Festival of Music CHASTAIN Atlanta Symphony EARL Holy Grail EDDIE’S ATTIC Michelle Malone FAT MATT’S The Stooge Brothers MASQUERADE Look Alive SMITH’S Honey Honey VINYL Kurt Thomas Band

MONDAY JUNE 24 529 Ghost Lights EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast TUESDAY JUNE 25 529 Hausu EDDIE’S ATTIC Pip & Jon Jonsson FAT MATT’S Burning Time MASQUERADE The ContraVerse

SUNDAY JUNE 30 EDDIE’S ATTIC Della Mae FAT MATT’S Snake Legs VERIZON Atlanta Symphony

SUNDAY JUNE 16 EARL Free Time EDDIE’S ATTIC Shelter From The Storm FAT MATT’S Snake Legs VINYL Afton Showcase MONDAY JUNE 17 529 Pretty Please EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast LOFT The Neighborhood MASQUERADE Baths TABERNACLE Tame Impala TUESDAY JUNE 18 529 Electric Nature BUCKHEAD THEATRE Cat Power EARL Catch 23 EDDIE’S ATTIC Billy Buchanan FAT MATT’S Burning Time WEDNESDAY JUNE 19 529 Demonaut EARL Christopher Owens EDDIE’S ATTIC Ryan Cabrera FAT MATT’S Georgia Flood MASQUERADE Dragonette STAR BAR Truckstop Darlings VINYL Royal Teeth THURSDAY JUNE 20 529 Plastic Visions EARL Dax Riggs EDDIE’S ATTIC Charlie Mars FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Less Than Jake PHILIPS New Kids on the Block

AARON’S AMPHITHEATRE presents Pitbull (June 27)

insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 19

MUSIC

MUSIC

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

The Dean’s List EMILY WELLS – Mama Acoustic Recordings (Partisan) Strengthening songs via a stripped-down sound LVS: Delicate s i n g e r songwriter Emily Wells crafted this intimate look at some of her previous material last year in the appropriately hazy conditions of Portland.

Recorded alone on her portable tape machine, the collection features hushed new takes on “Mama’s Gonna Give You Love” and “Johnny Cash’s Mama’s House,” featuring only her temperate voice and gently strummed acoustic guitar.

By stripping the original productions (most of which haven’t been heard outside of her own dedicated fan base) to the bone, Wells’ songs resonate with a new, bittersweet light of cautious hope and wrenching sadness. The ten selections also include one completely new song, “Los Angeles.”

A cautionary release to combat the harsh summer heat, this disc is like a crisp winter afternoon spent with a close, yet somehow distant confidant. This is pastoral folk at its best and most beguiling, from the wildly talented musician who has contributed to soundtracks, composed lush song cycles, and even collaborated with ubiquitous hiphop legend Dan the Automator.

DAVID FORD – Charge (Razor & Tie) Solid follow-up from underrated UK singer-songwriter JM: David Ford is one of those musicians you hear for the first time, and can’t help but scratch your head, wondering, “Why is this guy is not huge?!” His songs are catchy as hell, while still coming across as giftedly witty (give album opener “Pour a Little Poison” just 30 seconds and, if you aren’t humming along, check your pulse). He can even wear a fedora better than Bruno Mars, and all those other Top 40 kids who are rocking the vintage headgear ironically.

Charge, Ford’s fourth album, has the difficult task of following up 2010’s nearly flawless Let the Hard Times Roll, and almost pulls it off. There are some slower tracks on this outing, but the former frontman of the indie band Easyworld is at his best when he picks up the tempo (the one exception being the beautifully sweet piano ballad “Philadelphia Boy,” an ode to the City of Brotherly Love).

Columbia Records originally signed Ford a couple of albums ago, and couldn’t be bothered to break him in this country. So it will be interesting to see if his new label, Razor & Tie, can do a better job. In the meantime, pick up Charge and join me in trying to figure out why Ford is not already at the top of everybody’s play list.

PG 20 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

THE SWEAR – Gold and Hymns and Hell (Self-Released) The hardest working woman in show business BL: James Brown may be holding onto his “Hardest W o r k i n g Man in Show Business” mantle in perpetuity, but Atlantabased singersongwriter Elizabeth Elkins is definitely making a strong bid for the “Hardest Working Woman” title. Gold and Hymns and Hell marks three albums from three different bands that Elkins has performed on in the past year.

But anyone unfamiliar with The Swear who checks them out due to her involvement in alt-country acts Granville Automatic and Mama’s Blue Dress is in for a rude awakening.

The Swear is a rock band in the classic sense, and this album finds Elkins kicking out the jams with unbridled fervor. Though Elkins won a Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest early on in her career, her compositional skills and vocals have clearly come a long way since 2008’s Hotel Rooms & Heart Attacks.

I’m not sure how long she can continue juggling three projects, but The Swear’s latest album will leave fans hoping Elkins continues to make this band a priority.

Rest of the Class

DEADSTRING BROTHERS – Cannery Roy (Bloodshot) Laurel Canyon revisited JM: If it’s possible to revive the music from the Laurel Canyon scene’s 1970s heyday, Detroit alt-country band the Deadstring Brothers are arguably the best candidates to do so. Now based in Nashville, the band’s latest album, Cannery Row, is yet another solid release: You can almost see the haze of pot smoke in the air when this one’s playing.

Ten years, and a slew of lineup changes, after their original formation, the band has perfected a laid-back, blues-infused country vibe that sounds like The Stones jamming with Gram Parsons. Their trademark sound is showcased best on songs like “Oh Me Oh My” and the album opener, “Like a California Wildfire.” Though not far removed from earlier efforts, Cannery Row is their most country-influenced album to date. That sentence may deter some listeners, but it shouldn’t.

If you’re not yet tempted enough to give this album a listen, consider the fact that the band recruited Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson’s long-time sidekick, to play harmonica on this one. That fact alone makes the Deadstring Brothers well worth your time. (B-)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series, Volume 4 (ATO) Canny collaborations with a good bit of bite LVS: Mash-ups can often be annoying and ridiculous. Just take any pointless moment from the Grammy Awards telecasts of recent years, and the improbable couplings are often laughably bad.

But in the much cooler tradition of musical collaborations, the shrewd folks at True Blood have matched iconic punk pioneer Iggy Pop with fragile-sounding newcomer Bethany Cosentino for the song, “Let’s Boot and Rally.”

But the real centerpiece of this collection corrals the legendary Eric Burdon with indierock favorite Jenny Lewis for a satisfying go at Burdon’s hit from his days with The Animals.

Indeed, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is the undisputed gem in this collection. Sure, it’s been done by others, but here the ragged English blues growler’s vocal swaps with the fair and tender Lewis offer a nice counterpoint to the whole True Blood vibe of heightened realism.

That’s not to say that the rest of the record isn’t listenable: Highlights include the ubiquitous Flaming Lips with “Your Face Can Tell The Future,” “Pocket Change” by the Alabama Shakes, and Deap Vally’s “(She’s A) Wanderer.” Also thrown in by the show’s crafty music supervisor, Gary Calamar, are great tracks from Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, Bosco Delrey, My Morning Jacket, Mobley, and Los Lobos. It’s nothing if not diverse listening to celebrate the show’s sixth season premiere on June 16. (B)

GWEN HUGHES – Dancing In The Moonlight (Kulturno drustvo Obala Jazz) Smooth jazz aimed squarely at the European market BL: Gwen Hughes has been a longtime fixture on the Georgia music scene, winning Best Jazz Artist in Creative Loafing’s annual Best of Atlanta poll several times.

But “jazz” is an overly simplistic description of her stylistic fusion, which also blends in elements of pop, rock, blues, R&B, and even a little New Orleans funk from time to time.

The result is a slick, sophisticated sound aimed squarely at grown folks.

Her latest CD features a band assembled in her second home, the Eastern European nation of Slovenia. Lively originals like the playful “The One Who Fooled Them All” and the Latin-flavored “You Make Me Feel Like Candy” sit comfortably alongside cool covers of “What’s Going On” and Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing,” showcasing the emotive voice that has made Hughes a fan favorite all these years. But the overly polished product ultimately seems more likely to appeal to European jazz lovers than Atlanta’s more edgy, urban listeners. Ornette Coleman it’s not. (C)

BEN FOLDS FIVE– Live (Legacy) Ben and the boys get back on the road JM: It’s been two years since Ben Folds FINALLY got the band back together. They’ve really been making up for lost time, hitting the studio for last year’s The Sound of the Life of

the Mind, and then doing a lap around the globe on their reunion tour. It appears our favorite BFFs were kind enough to record those shows so that they could give us Ben Folds Five Live.

The 15-song collection is a beautiful reminder of why these guys won us over so quickly in the mid ‘90s, with catchy, piano-led indie-pop songs that stay with you for days.

While Folds has put out a live album as a solo artist, this is the first time (bootlegs aside) that the full band has put out a full-length concert collection.

Recorded in 2012 and early 2013 in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and the U.K., the album finds the band digging deep into their catalog, playing everything from their debut’s “Jackson Cannery” to “Erase Me,” off the new album. The charm of seeing these guys live is that the power trio never plays their songs the same way twice. This collection includes plenty of fan favorites, like “Song for the Dumped,” “Tom and Mary,” and “One Angry Dwarf and Two Hundred Solemn Faces.”

Last year was unofficially billed as the “Summer of ‘90s Nostalgia,” with a slew of mediocre groups reuniting to fend off the banks from foreclosure (was anyone really pleading for a Lit or Smashmouth reunion?

Didn’t think so.). So it’s nice to see a band that people actually want to hear from using the opportunity to get the band back together. The Five are still rockin’ after all these years. (B+)

DEAD CONFEDERATE – In The Marrow (Spiderbomb/RedEye) Stretching creative boundaries, to great effect BL: A lot of things have changed over the years for Dead Confederate. Longtime drummer Jason Scarboro is gone, replaced by Nick Sterchi of The Bohannons. Former label TAO is also out of the picture, with In The Marrow (their third LP) released on the band’s own Spiderbomb Records label. Almost all traces of their southern jam band influences appear to be gone as well, replaced by the most original, creatively focused songwriting arrangements of the band’s career.

The album opens with the hallucinatory “Slow Poisons,” an eerie 7-minute epic that weaves Walker Howle’s reverberating guitars, Hardy Morris’ echoing vocal mantras, and John Watkins’ trippy synth washes over a hypnotic rhythmic backdrop provided by Senn and studio drummer J.J. Bower. The song wouldn’t sound out of place on an early Floyd album, and represents a new step forward in the evolution of Dead Confederate’s sound.

Not every song on In The Marrow proves quite so sprawling: “Vacations” is straightforward post-punk/pop from the Nirvana school; the subterranean bassline, angular guitar and catchy vocal harmonies of “Bleed-Through” sounds like the Pixies in their prime; and the breathtaking closing ballad “Winter Waters” evokes the wide-open sonic spaces of Canada’s Great Lake Swimmers’ early work. But when the band does stretch out– as they do on five of the album’s eight tracks– Dead Confederate suddenly seems more epic and ambitious than their previous albums suggested.

Recorded with David Barbe at Athens’ Chase Park Transduction, songs such as the lumbering title track, the dynamically built “Best of the Worst,” and the achingly melancholy “Big City Life” suggest that Dead Confederate is more interested in being career artists than the Next Big Thing. Word on the street has it they’re planning to release a fourth album before the end of 2013. If it’s anywhere as good as In The Marrow, I expect the band will be one of Georgia’s finest for many years to come. (A)

MUSIC

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’

TUE. JUNE 04, 2013 • 8:30PM

HOT 8 BRASS BAND WASTED POTENTIAL BRASS BAND DJ DOOKIE PLATTERS

The Unlikely True Story of Journey’s Filipino Frontman

BY BRET LOVE

they gave me the good news.

F YOU DIDN’T KNOW ARNEL Pineda’s story was true, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was some sort of Slumdog Millionaire-style Hollywood fantasy.

His mother died of heart disease when he was 13, her illness left the family impoverished, and young Arnel spent two years sleeping on the streets, taking odd jobs to survive. But music was Pineda’s first love and, after 25 years of playing in various bands in the Philippines, he was hired back in 2007 to become the new frontman for Journey after a friend loaded a video of him performing a killer cover of “Faithfully.”

On the heels of a platinum album (Revelation), Journey topped the charts once again under Pineda’s leadership with a DVD concert, Live In Manila. But, as the new documentary film Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey makes clear, the transition was hardly an easy one for the singer. From rough early studio sessions with the band to the overwhelming adrenaline rush of his first concert in Chile, Pineda’s road from crippling “third world” poverty to international celebrity was rocky at best. And director Ramona S. Diaz’s footage suggests the band is less concerned with Pineda’s rags-to-riches rise than it is with the bottom line of its business brand.

We recently caught up with the 45-year-old singer to discuss his tough childhood, how YouTube helped him get discovered, and what it’s like to perform for 30,000 Filipinos with one of the world’s most beloved bands.

It seems as if the music of Journey has been experiencing a great renaissance ever since “Don’t Stop Believin’” was used in the final episode of The Sopranos.

In 2008 we started touring with me as the frontman, and I think we’ve broken down the generation gap. We get people from 8 years old on up to their 60s, with whole families coming together to see our show. It’s amazing to see such a huge resurgence, because I’m one of the band’s biggest fans.

I

How do you think the adversity you endured as a child has impacted the man you are today?

I think it helped me be more thankful for what I have. It made me realize that if you stick with your dreams, something will be waiting for you. My humble beginnings, with the poverty I’ve experienced and the hunger and pain and deprivation, were not a hindrance. If anything, they’ve given me a deeper well from which to draw.

Could you tell me the story of how you got originally discovered by Journey?

It was my friend Noel Gomez’s fault, actually! (Laughs) He kept putting live videos of my band, The Zoo, up on YouTube. I was embarrassed and asked him to keep it to himself, but he spent weeks uploading 64 songs because he was such a hardcore fan. He believed someone would see it and change my life forever.

And then eventually Neal Schon saw them?

Yeah, he sent an email to Noel and explained that Journey was looking for their next frontman and asked if I wanted to audition. I didn’t believe it at first– it was too weird– but soon they were flying me and my manager to San Francisco.

What was the audition process like?

It was very scary. I didn’t think I was doing very well and I had a bad case of jet lag. The pressure was really heavy the first three days– it seemed like they were looking for an invincible singer. Then on the fourth day they asked me to go into the studio and record a few of their greatest hits and two newly-written songs. To my surprise, they thought I had that magical voice they were looking for, and on the last day

WED. JUNE 05, 2013 • 8:30PM

SNOWDEN SEALIONS • TWIN TIGERS THU. JUNE 06, 2013 • 8:30PM

RADIATION CITY JOSEPH WAR

SAT. JUNE 08, 2013 • 9:00PM

JACUZZI BOYS COPS • SIOUX CITY SUE SUN. JUNE 09, 2013 • 8:00PM

ICEAGE • LOWER GEORGES BATILLE BATTLE CRY TUE. JUNE 11, 2013 • 8:30PM

NIGHT BEDS • JENNY O. THU. JUNE 13, 2013 • 8:30PM

TWO GALLANTS BRONCHO

WED. JUNE 19, 2013 • 8:30PM

CHRISTOPHER OWENS (OF GIRLS)

The recording of the Journey Live in Manila DVD must have been an amazing homecoming for you.

It was so surreal! I was closing my eyes because I could hardly believe it was real, so I was trying to convince myself that I wasn’t crazy. My adrenaline was so high and I was really nervous, but I was able to overcome it and put on a good show.

How has your life changed since you joined Journey?

It has changed tremendously. I wasn’t prepared for it, but eventually I was able to accept it and learned how to take it easy without getting too overwhelmed. Even though I’m truly grateful, I don’t let it get to my head.

The music is all-important to me. I have too much respect for Journey’s music and the fans to give anything less than my best. But it’s easy to get caught up in that pressure.

You went from unknown to world-famous virtually overnight: How did you not crack under that pressure?

Honestly, I’ve been afraid all my life. I’ve never had much confidence or self-esteem. I only got confidence when I was given this opportunity, and being around the guys in Journey gave me confidence. It taught me how to stand tall, even with15,000 people in the audience. Journey gave me a magic wand, and the experience has completely changed the man that I am.

Could you talk about the mission of your Arnel Pineda Foundation and why it’s important to you?

I know how hard it is when you don’t have food, clothes or shelter in which to live.

So when I got the chance to become well known, it was important to me to help the underprivileged, with children being the focus.

We started the foundation right after the 2008 American tour and got tax-exempt charity status, so we’re taking in more donations now.

I’m very excited!

THU. JUNE 20, 2013 • 8:30PM

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insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 21

MUSIC

NOW YOU SEE ME

If You Thought Ciara Had Disappeared from the R&B/Pop Scene, Prepare for a Second Act You’ll Never Forget

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

F

OR ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO SAID Ciara, 27, didn’t have another hit in her, they were 100% right—she actually has at least two. The grownfolk anthem “Body Party” and the Nicki Minaj-featured club banger “I’m Out” are two new songs from Ciara’s new self-titled album that have urban radio goin’ nuts and everybody else slowly forgettin’ about her past commercial stumbles. Check back in about five months to see if either of the aforementioned tracks has the mainstream legs of Ci Ci’s debut successes like “Goodies” or “1,2 Step.” But if you want some instant gratification, keep reading because the Austin-native-turned-A-townrepper talks to us about growth, grand expectations and getting into Hollywood.

Haters, have a seat…

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned since your first album?

Well, there’re so many things. I think it is really about trusting your gut, you know, that first strong feeling you feel in your gut. Don’t think against it. I also feel like I’ve learned that, you know, as much as it’s important to have career success, it’s important to have life success, so you have to make sure that you always focus on just winning life. I think that when you do that, you’re in a much healthier environment, a much healthier working environment.

[When] you just work from a really pure and even more fun place, you are really making sure that you are enjoying your life along the way.

How do you ensure that happens? With so many interviews and concerts and so much travel, how do you keep the balance of making sure your personal life is going well?

Well, you just have to carve out some time, you know? Put at least a day in your schedule to just relax and, like, go do normal things, like going to the movies and hanging out with your family and friends.

Like now, I may look at my calendar and strategically map out that moment to give myself. Also, as opposed to taking everything as “work” when it is work, really approaching it with a fun mentality. You work really hard and it’s really work, work, work, work, work. It can be something as simple as a club walkthrough. You know I’m going to get paid for it, but I would kind of like treat it more like a visit as opposed to [saying], “Hey, you are really here with your fans and people that really really really love you.” I have always appreciated my fans, and now I make sure to make the experience more special for me and my fans together for that moment because you can never get that time back.

What is the toughest part of your job?

The toughest part? I don’t know what that is? The toughest part? [She pauses] I think really ignoring what people have to say sometimes. It’s tough but it’s not tough.

I don’t know if that is the toughest part, but it is a tough one sometimes. Sometimes you want to just go off on somebody.

Why you being so negative for no reason?

Sometimes that’s tough. But I don’t know

PG 22 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

what the toughest part is to be honest. If anything, it’s balancing sleep. While you want to enjoy yourself and live your life, you want to make sure you get sleep. And sometimes that can be really tough.

That’s a blessing there. It took you so long to find something that is hard about the job, so that’s a great thing!

I know, because I love my job. I tried to find something that was challenging, because I really like the challenge.

Anything you choose in life is going to be a challenge. Whether it is being a performer or not, being in front of the world or not, it’s going to have a challenge. I think it is all about how you approach it, and I just really love what I do.

One of the challenges, I would think, is constantly trying to reinvent early success. Is that something that kind of weighs you down?

You know what? I don’t think it’s about re-creating, but it’s just about making sure you continue to be successful and to be more successful. That is definitely a challenge, you know. And I think it is one of those things that, when you overcome it, it is so much bigger in the end. It is a hard thing for anyone that becomes a target.

You’re only as big as your last hit, they say. People always have an opinion. It’s all about really building your hidden strength.

If anything, it is like you can never lose sight of what the focal point is or what the goal is. That is definitely a challenge, for sure. You only want to do bigger and better than what you’ve done before. But what good would life be without a challenge?

What is missing from the Atlanta music scene right now?

I don’t if I’d so much say that something was missing. There is never a dull moment.

Right now Atlanta is more hip-hop dominated. There was a moment where R&B was the most common. It just rotates and it goes in a circle. It just so happens the hand stopped at hip hop more than any other sound. I don’t know if you want to say something is missing. Maybe you may feel like that. If anything, I feel we are kind of finding our way to just adding the R&B element back.

I use the word “missing” because when I think about the 90s and the early 2000s, I think about the Jagged Edges and the Monicas dominating the Atlanta sound…

Right, right, right, right…more of melody, more R&B.

Right. Do you see a resurgence of that kind of music?

Absolutely. Music evolves. You know, it has its seasons. It’s just like in one point in time, the east coast was the most popular [sound in hip hop]. And then it’s the west coast. And then it’s the south.

Everything has its season. R&B is one of the most prominent forces in music. It’s the melodic side of where music really comes from, you know, like back when it was the blues. Melody is the core of it all.

There is no way that will never re-emerge in a strong way. I feel like we’re going to get there. Truthfully, that’s why I’m

ANYTHING YOU CHOOSE IN LIFE IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE. WHETHER IT IS BEING A PERFORMER OR NOT, BEING IN FRONT OF THE WORLD OR NOT, IT’S GOING TO HAVE A CHALLENGE. I THINK IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU APPROACH IT, AND I JUST REALLY LOVE WHAT I DO. excited about my next album. I really feel like it’s going to come back. I think that R&B is about to come back very strong. I believe that.

We can segway right into your album.

I would think that would have a lot to say about the R&B resurgence. What is special about this album?

Well, it’s very special. I think I’m more comfortable in my skin than I’ve ever been, and the most free I’ve ever been. I want my music to be raw. I have something on here for everyone. You know, and that is always my goal. But I really, really have grown and I feel like you’re really going get to hear my growth and you’re going to be able to take a different journey with me than you’ve ever taken before because it is somewhat a personal journey. It’s coming from a very special place.

How’s it feel to have the new album’s June release date so close?

I feel excited. I feel really good. I feel like I’m in my pocket, like I’m in a zone right now—just in reference to life and the things I’m being inspired by and the things I want to share with my fans. I’m really focused.

Your latest gift to the fans is the sexual single “Body Party.” How’d that one come about?

I co-wrote it with Future. It was just one

of those records that just flowed. You can have a “body party” on many different levels. It doesn’t always have to be sensual, but there’s obviously a sensual element to it. A “body party” can be about giving energy to a guy or girl to slow dance.

[Songs] don’t do that anymore. It’s all about how far you want to take it.

We’ve seen you a few times on reality shows and on BET’s The Game. Are you easing your way into Hollywood a little more now?

I don’t know what you mean by easing into Hollywood, because there are different aspects in Hollywood.

Ci Ci, you know what I’m talking about.

Are you trying to act more?

Oh, of course. I want more in films. I had a really fun experience doing a movie [That’s My Boy] with Adam Sandler. That was really fun. From that experience, I feel like there is so much more to do and so much more room to grow, so I am definitely looking forward to that.

If you can play out the rest of 2013 for me, what all do you hope to accomplish this year?

I just hope to have a successful tour with my fans. I’m hoping to mostly focus on my experience of sharing my music with the world. I am just really looking forward to enjoying this time in my life.

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA

JUNE 10 – FLEETWOOD MAC

JUNE 6 – THE POSTAL SERVICE

The Fox Theatre The Postal Service are primarily known as the creators of the much lauded indie album Give Up, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Using minimalist electronica and melodic vocals, the Postal Service are indie electro-pop darlings. Named due to their use of the United States Postal Service as their means of musical creation; the members sent their recordings to one another, collaborating through the mail.

Reuniting, touring, releasing an expanded and remastered edition of Give Up, and even releasing a few new songs; fans of the Postal Service are ecstatic. Anyone who loves Erasure, the Pet Shop Boys, the Faint, and Owl City take note; this may be your one and only chance to experience the Postal Service live!

The Postal Service

Philips Arena Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood are all performing together for a night of classic hits and new music. Adding to their immense catalog of hit classic rock and blues creations, they recently released an EP of new material, Extended Play; their first new songs in a decade. Also, be sure to check out the remastered/expanded release of their best loved album, Rumors; celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

This is a night of classic music and extremely talented and legendary musicians.

Don’t miss the sublime and spectacular Fleetwood Mac!

JUNE 11 – AN EVENING WITH BILLY IDOL

The Tabernacle With a musical career that spans over three decades, Billy Idol is a Rock ‘n’ Roll survivor. He’s battled drugs, alcohol, and a crippling motorcycle accident; and he’s come through it all and never stopped swinging. Certainly known for 80’s mainstays such as “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding”, these Idol hits are still popular on the radio and in clubs. Reunited with original guitarist Steve Stevens, this will be a fantastic night of stage prowling, strutting, and sneering with the one and only original punk, Billy Idol.

JUNE 15 – JOAN BAEZ & INDIGO GIRLS Delta Classic Chastain Park Amphitheatre

An incredible evening of girl power, this trio of musicians highlight the struggles of the individual as well as the many. Joan Baez is well known as a folk musician and a prominent activist. Though she has written her own music, she is widely regarded as an interpreter of other works. The Indigo Girls are Grammy-winning folk duo Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. All three will be performing selections of songs that span their career to their more recent releases.

Fan favorites to look out for are “Ghost”, “Galileo”, “Oh Freedom”, and “Blowin in the Wind”. For any fans of folk singersongwriter style music with excellent harmonies, this is sure to be a dynamic and extraordinary night of music.

JUNE 18 – CAT POWER

The Buckhead Theatre Chan Marshall is the brains, beauty, voice, and core of Cat Power. Marshall is a soulful musician, often penning highly revealing emotional and literate lyrics.

She’s been an indie rock darling for years and shown that her style is anything but single minded. Her latest album, Sun, sees her experimenting with adding more electronica to her sound; but her deep bluesy vocals remain. A highly magnetic performer, Marshall has had many ups and downs, getting over stage fright as well as other live performance erratics. Often building from chants and mantras, or shimmeringly fragile guitar notes, Cat Power’s music is beautiful, sublime, and magical. An evening of incredibly hypnotic music, excellent musicians, and a dynamic front woman, don’t miss Cat Power.

JUNE 20 – NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, 98 DEGREES, BOYZ II MEN

Philips Arena These guys are hangin’ tough, takin’ it step by step and bringing not one, but three greatly loved boy bands together under one

WE GOT NEXT SHARKS

Jordan Knight of NKOTB

roof! Originally designed to be the counterpoint to New Edition, the New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Boyz II Men flourished in the 90’s to early 00’s, and 98 Degrees had their time in the sun from late 90’s through mid 00’s. New Kids are supporting new album, 10, as well as 98 Degree’s new album, 2.0. This is a night of mainstream pop, powerhouse voices, brilliant a cappella, harmonies, and hunky heartthrobs. Go on; scream your head off like a little fangirl seeing, well, New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees, and Boyz II Men. You just can’t resist a boy band…

JUNE 21 – KYLESA

The Earl Kylesa are a metal band from Savannah, Georgia. Utilizing psych-blues guitar riffs, tri-tone chanting, tribalistic drums, and space rock elements; Kylesa bring the sludge-metal they are known for into an otherworldly realm beyond a simple tag or label.

They create a darkly beautiful and haunting sound, similar in some ways to Katatonia.

Laura Pleasants vocals have become more and more prominent, and now sound like Siouxsie Sioux or Lush, blended with dark metal band. Check out their latest release Ultraviolet and experience the thunderous musical experience Kylesa have to offer in the intimate setting of the Earl.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Selfhood (Rise Records) For Fans of: The Gaslight Anthem, Bad Religion and The Menzingers Why You Should Care: Because this UK-based band knows its way around melodies and hooks, but can still rock just as hard as their punk rock contemporaries.

BY JOHN B. MOORE

K

EEPING UP AN IMPRESSIVE GAP OF ROUGHLY 12 months between albums, British punk rockers The Sharks are set to debut their latest full-length, Selfhood, this month.

And while that album-a-year pace may have been pretty routine in the ‘70s thanks to fistfuls of Quaaludes, a lot of cocaine, and easy-to-impress fans, that momentum is pretty damn impressive nowadays. Especially when the songs on Selfhood manage to be some of the best in the band’s already impressive musical canon.

The group is gearing up for their UK-headlining tour, but guitarist Andrew Bayliss was kind enough to answer a few of our questions recently.

This record is coming out not that long after No Gods was released here. Were you guys particularly prolific or did it just take a while for No Gods to come out in the U.S.?

We didn’t have a gigantic touring schedule after No Gods came out, so we just decided to dive straight back into the writing process. There’s been a yearly gap between each record which we want to try and maintain. We’d like to release the next record in 2014!

How was this experience - writing and recording - different from those in the past?

This time we decided to record everything completely live in a room together. This album was all about capturing the natural sound of us playing as a band, there’s a special kind of energy you get which you can’t recreate by tracking everything separately.

You worked with Lewis Johns on this one. How was he to work with?

He was a really inspiring guy to work with. His whole approach was to keep everything as organic as possible and just concentrate on capturing a great live performance. He really brought the best out of us on this record.

When you listen to Joys of Living and Selfhood, what strikes you the most about how the band has changed?

I just think Selfhood is a lot more self-assured. There’s nothing drastically different to my ears between our records. We’ve always made guitar records and it’s always been the four of us making all the noise! It’s hardly Kid A is all I’m saying!

It seems like you just got through with touring on that last record. Do you plan on taking much time off before touring behind this one?

We plan to keep really busy this year. If we’re not touring, we’ll be writing!

I actually think three months is a good amount of time to write a record in. Why spend any longer? We’re not Axl Rose!

You were quoted as saying that you gave yourselves no more than three months to write this record, with no songs written going into the studio. Did you ever regret setting up those parameters?

I actually think three months is a good amount of time to write a record in. Why spend any longer? We’re not Axl Rose! insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 23

MUSIC

THE POWER OF FOLK

Amy Ray Talks About Folk Music, Circa 2013

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

MY RAY, ONE HALF OF THE popular, Atlanta-based duo Indio Girls, has been active in the folk, rock, and acoustic music scenes for the better part of three decades. With Emily Saliers, the singer-songwriters have released a wildly diverse canon of work, both individually and as a band. Currently touring behind 2011’s Beauty Queen Sister, their excellent, if under-appreciated album, the Indigos are crossing the country with their full band in tow. On selected dates, they are co-headlining with friend and fellow singer-songwriter Joan Baez. Amy Ray recently spoke at length with Insite about her new solo album, Joan Baez and the current state of folk music.

even with your fans. But we’re living and learning with how to make it all work.

Let’s talk about the tour with Joan Baez.

It’s a very exciting idea.

Yeah, we are too. We toured with her quite a long time ago, I guess it was the early ‘90s. She made a big impact on us as a mentor, and a friend and musician. For a long time, we’ve been like “when do we get to tour with Joan again?” She’s been doing her own stuff, had her own life and we see her every now and then but we hadn’t had the opportunity to tour together so this is great for us. We have so much respect for her and her shows are really good and it’s gonna be fun.

Tell us about the show. Will [current IG backing band] The Shadowboxers play You always have a number of projects during the whole show? going at once. What are you working on We’ll play together and do our things now, as you prepare for the upcoming with the Shadowboxers. We do some Indigo Girls tour? songs together and we’ll I’m working on a learn some more and just country project, actually. have it be really great. She’s A solo one. It’s songs I’ve actually got her own little been working on for a band, I think it’s the same long time now. Some are people she’s been playing six or seven years old. with for a while. I know her When: I’d always wanted to do son is playing in it, too. So a record of these oldJUNE 14 AND 15 it’ll be two different bands, time country songs. So I Where: but we are gonna do some finally got to that place songs together that are just CHASTAIN PARK and got enough of my the three of us, acoustic AMPHITHEATER rock records done, and kind of stuff. It’s gonna gotten those ya-yas out. be real laid back and like I was just up in Asheville family. I’m so excited about for a week and did twelve and it’s fun to be excited about it. I’ve been tracks to tape, live. emailing Joan and we’ve been chittering and chatting. It feels like I’m 25 years old You said old-time, is it hardcore country? again and she’s an old friend, so it all feels It ranges from pedal-steel kind of lullaby really good to me. to western sort of stuff to the strippedWhat was it like the first time you played down-around-one-mike-kind of thing. with her? Obviously she’s an icon, but you I’ll mix it in August and we’ll see what are, too. So now the playing field is equal. happens. I’m gonna put it through Deamon (Laughs) Well, it’s never gonna be equal, Records, probably. I’ve gotta put my which is good. We’ve kept in touch with business hat on and figure out my routing. her, so we don’t really feel that. We really I’m excited about it, and it’s just a labor don’t pay attention to any of that stuff. I of love. None of my solo stuff is really hadn’t even really thought about it. For intended to really do anything but just get me, I’m just thinking about how inspiring it out there. it is to be around her and with her and it reenergizes me, makes me see things in It’s a good time for that style of music. a different way. She’s just a really good It is kind of trendy right now and I’m presence. I’m always gonna feel like her not really one that fits into the whole student in a lot of ways. No matter what, Americana thing. But I can see that there’s I’ll probably always feel that way. a lot of openness to it right now. But that’s what I’ve been doing right now and then It’s great that you have both been signed the whole IG world is a whole other thing, to Vanguard, at different times in history. so it’s good to have both.

That’s like the Old Testament of folk music in so many ways. What is your I really liked Beauty Queen Sister, but it take on folk music today? Obviously, it’s seemed to just sort of disappear. changed - but where is it now, in your We really both love that record, but we opinion? didn’t promote it enough at the right time, Yeah! Just the association is great. One honestly. It’s definitely one of our favorite thing I’ve noticed, with younger people, projects. So we’ve been trying, as we’ve like in their 20s and 30s, is that there been touring in the past few months, to seems to be a newfound reverence for really focus on it. We’ve been playing Woody Guthrie and the recordings of Alan all that material and really represent it Lomax and Ry Cooder -- and people like well and that’s going good. But the music Joan. The kind of rootsy era, when folk business is so hard right now, as you was a very active and activist movement. know. Everything just goes into this big To me there seems to be a new reverence stream of stuff because there’s so much for that. and everything is so accessible. And that’s good, but the bad part is, it’s hard to put The whole Americana scene has opened something out there and feel like it’s really wide now, for all ages. making any sort of impact whatsoever, Yes and I think that part of that is

INDIGO GIRLS AND JOAN BAEZ

PG 24 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

whole recognition of the past, and that’s cool. I think folk music is definitely very cross-pollinated now and it includes a lot of different kinds of things. But that’s not a bad thing. There was a long period of time when folk was kind of uncool, and nerdy and overly earnest. People were kind of dismissive of it. There was this sort of internalized “folkaphobia,” you know?

But now it’s universally accepted. There are always periods and niches of music fans that aren’t interested in history, but old-timey bluegrass is huge with college students, for example.

Yeah, you can call yourself a folk musician and it’s cool, so yeah, folk music is in a good place. And, there are certain cycles of time where it’s like, the discovery of old music and

old recordings are giving a significant amount of new inspiration. There are so many great, unsung heroes of country and bluegrass and there are always all these great, influential people that no one knows about, except maybe musicians, I guess. Then the outward expression is about whoever gets popular or wellknown. In the south, right now, there are all these young, kind of country bands coming up, like Shovels and Rope type-stuff, and it’s so cool. It’s like Zac Brown kicked off this whole new southern rock thing and now it’s really coming into play. It’s interesting to me. But we’re all in the same river together, so I’m fine with it.

MUSIC

ONCE UPON A RASCAL

Felix Cavaliere Talks About His Band and Times

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

T

who haven’t worked for a while, maybe very nervous. I never really stopped working, but some of the other guys did stop working.

HE RASCALS WERE ONE OF THE best and most respected bands of the mid-to-late‘60s. Their fusion of soul, rock and R&B made them one of the So he wrote a version of the band’s history more adventurous Top 40 acts of their day, that became the basis of the show. with a wildly diverse catalog that inspired Yes, that’s true. I sat down with him and gave Bruce Springsteen and Miami Steve Van him a very broad overview of what you see on Zandt among many others and secured their the screen there. So we could keep it accurate. induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He had done interviews with all of the others, Miami Steve took his dedication to the band so he took pieces of the story and kinda wrote to a whole new level by writing a play based it as a script and it works. on the history of the group. He even produced and organized “Once Upon A Dream,” a Obviously, he’s very devoted to the band. massive Broadway production as the final Most people don’t care anything about result. The show had a successful run and is anything but themselves and their careers. And now on the road, starring the this fellah, it’s just unbelievable original Rascals, playing their hits and album cuts live, backed THE RASCALS’ the amount of time and effort he put into this project. And that’s by a multi-media history of why we all hope it pays off, not “ONCE UPON their life and times. Recently only for us but for him, ‘cause he A DREAM” singer-songwriter-keyboardist deserves it.

Where Felix Cavaliere spoke with Insite COBB ENERGY CENTER about the band and the massive Springsteen is a strict When production that visits Atlanta taskmaster, so is Steve, this month.

JUNE 19 – 22 as well?

That’s what he’s used to and I know you’ve been based in that’s what he brings to the Nashville for a while, but you fold here, too.

I never stopped working out. have put your solo career on hold for the You see, to do a two and a half hour show, Rascals, correct? which I normally do maybe an hour and That’s it. I kinda stopped everything because half, it’s rigorous.

You gotta keep yourself in of this Rascal Reunion. Actually, I was asked to good shape, even to do it.

Its not hard work, stop, to devote my time to this. I love working compared to digging holes, but it’s something in Nashville, though. People want to hear what you’ve gotta be prepared for and being in we know as pop music, in whatever form it shape for. is now. So the country people down here are smart about it and it’s taking over the charts.

It reminds them of a certain or feeling in their life.

And that’s what happens when you come to this Rascal reunion show. That’s exactly what happens. It’s wonderful to witness because the feeling that the Rascals try to present to the world has kinda disappeared a little bit, you know? Certainly the generations we played for had a very strong consciousness of healing, racial equality, peace and prosperity all over the world, and that’s what comes out in this concert. It’s a healing and people love it. They need it.

How long have you known Little Steven?

I don’t remember the first time we met, but it was resurrected in ’97 at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. As you know, when the Rascals were inducted, he was the inductor. He made the speech. And the interesting aside to it is that speech got him the role in the Sopranos.

[Producer] David Chase saw it and asked him to try out for the show, which was very successful. So our paths crossed then. Some of the other guys knew him prior to that, but then in 2010, we received a call from him to do a do a concert for charity, the Kristen Carr Cancer Fund. It was very prestigious because one of my daughters had just contracted breast cancer and so it was something I felt compelled to do. Then things quieted down for a bit, but low and behold, behind the scenes, Steve never gave up the idea that this big show was going to happen.

What did he do to encourage the band?

He stayed on it and nurtured some of the guys that needed some help. You know, there’s a lot of different ways people need help, one may be just in confidence. You know, people

transcended that Beatle dominance, of being active and successful before and after they invaded the scene.

I know! We were very fortunate and we had a great team. Working at Atlantic was just a joy. One of the most fortunate things of our life was to have a label that was that uniquely talented that they allowed us to make music and embellished it with great people like Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin. It did nothing but make positive energy. That’s why the music is still around.

But the actual show is much more than just music, there’s a play and filmed pieces. A total multi-media production.

That’s the idea Steve brought to it. It’s more than just seeing a band on stage.

This is something that involves a play, a

factual representation, and orchestrated as entertaining rather than just documentary.

Fantastic visuals, too. The fellah that is doing that is a guy named Mark Brickman. He’s worked with U2 and Pink Floyd and he’s worked with Bruce, too. You cannot avoid it.

It’s magnificent. So you’ve got the elements to make it a fascinating evening, and that’s why it did so well on Broadway.

Is the touring edition different than the New York run?

It only depends on the theater. The theater they choose to do this is in, you’ll see, they have a 50-foot screen. It’s huge. I have no idea how they are gonna transport that thing.

But I’ve asked them, “Can you do it on a smaller screen?” They say no. So this should be really interesting.

When the band reunited to play, was it like jumping back into a former marriage?

Yeah, that’s a good way of putting it. I think the only thing than changed, really, was some of the ways people played or sang. If they had not been practicing or working. There’s an interesting thing about groups, especially successful groups. They were made to be together. It’s funny because you can change players, you can bring in other people, but there’s something about the originals that is special. I hate to keep using the work magic, because it’s not magic, it’s just something that is God-given, I guess. We’re supposed to play together. And we do. And it works. I have no idea why, but it just works.

So all the past personal and artistic differences are resolved now.

We had enough trouble in the past to really learn a lesson - and if we have not learned that lesson by now, it’s really too late. This is it, there’s no turning back now, we’re at the twilights of not only our career, but our lifetimes as acting musicians.

Do you think the band will stay together past the tour, and record new material?

No one really knows the answer to that yet.

It’s still fairly new; it’s only been a few months.

At some point, I’d like to continue to make records with other people. I especially enjoy working with some of the younger guys that are out there. They’ve got a whole different approach to things. I don’t think anyone should be limited to one group of people, we should be free agents to do whatever we want. I like to work and in the past, some of the other guys did not like to work as hard as I like to work. So what do you do, sit around and wait?

One great thing about the Rascals is you

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insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 25

TRAVEL

GEORGIA’S GREAT OUTDOORS GEORGIA’S GREAT OUTDOORS 10 Excellent Active this Adventures Around Atlanta Get Active Summer!

BY BRET LOVE

LAKE LANIER CANOPY TOURS

E

VEN LOCAL RESIDENTS TEND TO forget the amazing amount of green space offering excellent opportunities for recreation and adventure within an hour’s drive of Atlanta’s city limits. With hundreds of city parks, more than 40 state parks and five national parks in north Georgia alone, the South’s most bustling metropolis also boasts plenty of outdoor activities ranging from mild to wild.

BIKING THE SILVER COMET TRAIL

Formerly the route of the Silver Comet passenger train, this paved recreational trail extends 61.5 miles from the northwest Atlanta suburb of Smyrna all the way to the Alabama state line. The city’s first rails-totrails project, the Silver Comet is renowned for its spectacular scenic vistas as it traverses numerous trestles and bridges and offers direct access to Heritage Park, which features more than 14 acres of wetlands and the ruins of Concord Woolen Mills. Don’t have a bike? No problem; just rent one from the Silver Comet Depot. prca.cobbcountyga. gov/silvercomet.htm

FLY FISHING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

Atlanta anglers seeking a break from the 9 to 5 often head north to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, where cold waters released from the depths of Lake Lanier at the Buford Dam provide an ideal habitat for trout—not to mention wildlife like beaver, raccoons and white tail deer. Experienced fly fishing guides such as River Through Atlanta can help you find hush-hush hotspots near Bowmans Island and Settles Bridge, where you can immerse yourself in Mother Nature’s pastoral beauty while trying to land a big one. riverthroughatlanta.com

HIKING PANTHER CREEK FALLS

North Georgia is renowned for its amazing waterfalls, but this lesser-known recreation area located in the Tallulah Basin features one of the best, accessible via a picturesque six-mile trail through a forest filled with 100-foot-tall trees, flowering shrubs and moss-covered rock cliffs. Panther Creek drops nearly 1,000 feet from Stony Mountain on its way towards the Tugaloo River, with a series of killer cascades leading to two impressive waterfalls. The hike is long and somewhat challenging, particularly after a rain, but the dramatic view at the bottom is well worth the effort. fs.fed.us TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK

PIEDMONT PARK

ROCK CLIMBING IN TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK

Considered one of Georgia’s “Seven Natural Wonders,” Tallulah Gorge is around two miles long and features quartzite cliffs up to 1,000 feet high. The area has become increasingly popular with rock climbers throughout the Southeast, who are attracted by challenging routes with colorful names such as Digital Delight, Mescaline Daydream, Flying Frog and Punk Wave, all of which are rated 5.8 to 5.10 (with 5.15 being the most difficult).

The park only allows 20 climbing permits per day (available at the park’s Interpretive Center), and it’s best to go with experienced guides; Granite Arches Climbing Services (granitearches.com) offers instruction while helping to ensure your safety. gastateparks. org/Tallulah

ROLLERBLADING AT PIEDMONT PARK

Don’t want to travel outside the perimeter for a day of outdoor fun? Then head to the 189-acre Piedmont Park, which is to Atlanta what Central Park is to NYC. A Midtown landmark for 115 years, the park has become a haven for rollerbladers, who find refuge gliding along its main roadway and the 10th Street Meadow Path while simultaneously enjoying some of the city’s best people-watching opportunities. If you don’t have your own gear, rent from Skate Escape, located right across from the park. piedmontpark.org

SHOOTING THE HOOCH

Made famous by country singer Alan Jackson, the Chattahoochee River stretches from northeast Georgia down through metro suburbs such as Roswell, and “shooting the ‘hooch” on a raft, tube, canoe or kayak has been a local tradition for decades. Companies such as Chattahoochee Outfitters offer trips ranging from three to 6.5 miles, with shuttle service to return rafters to their cars after the trek is over.

It’s an excellent way to laze away a summer afternoon, with excellent scenery perfect for waterproof cameras. shootthehooch.com

SPELUNKING IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA

TAG—the area in the Cumberland Plateau where northwest Georgia meets Alabama and Tennessee—has lured spelunkers from around the world eager to explore its labyrinthine underground passages.

Pigeon Mountain is particularly popular thanks to its vast network of limestone caves. Pettijohn’s Cave has six miles of previously mapped passageways that PG 26 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

often attract a healthy weekend crowd; the 13 miles of Ellison’s Cave that have been explored include the 440-foot deep Incredible Dome Pit and the 586-foot deep Fantastic Pit. Underground areas can be extremely dangerous for people without proper equipment caving experience: Learn about the sport at www.caves.org before embarking on your first expedition.

(678) 622-3990 (678) 622-3990 lakelaniercanopytours.com 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.

TRAVERSING THE ROPE COURSE AT SKY HIKE

From the ground, this popular attraction at Stone Mountain Park doesn’t seem all that intimidating. But climb the stairs to the third level of this ¼-mile rope course— where you cross suspended wooden bridges, leap from one thin wooden slat to the next and balance on wiggling tightropes 40 feet above the ground as your hands sweat and legs shake—and you may find yourself questioning the “moderate” adrenaline rating above. Fortunately, there are also 12- and 24-foot-long trails for beginners (or those with a healthy fear of heights). stonemountainpark com

WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE CHATTOOGA RIVER

Designated by Congress as one of America’s “Wild and Scenic” rivers in 1974, the Chattooga River (where much of Deliverance was filmed) offers challenges for rafters of all skill levels. For extreme adventure lovers, there’s Section IV, where Class IV and V rushing whitewater speeds you down the river at a breakneck pace, climaxing with an invigorating plunge down the legendary Five Falls and Soc-em-Dog. For families, there’s Section III, a beginnerfriendly float trip with a Class IV ending at Bull’s Sluice. Going with a tour outfitter such as Southeastern Expeditions will ensure maximum safety and enjoyment of your trek. southeasternexpeditions.com

ZIPLINING IN NORTH GEORGIA

Picture yourself strapped onto a suspended cable high up in a lush forest canopy, soaring among the treetops, tiptoeing across two sky bridges and racing your friends as you zip over rushing river rapids. Inspired by their travels abroad, North Georgia Canopy Tour Owners Kirk and Leah Watkins have recreated the consummate Costa Rican adventure in the foothills of the Appalachians. The pulse-pounding, mile-long zipline course takes you around and across the Ocoee River, providing spectacular views of serene scenery that will leave you breathless and begging for more. northgeorgiacanopytours.com

BROAD RIVER OUTPOST

(706) 795-3242 (706) 795-3242 broadriveroutpost.com 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 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.

TRAVEL

TAHITIAN DREAM

Learning to Savor the Posh Life in French Polynesia group tours are free for all guests), he introduces visitors to its myriad wonders with an infectious sense of pride and passion.

He explained that, after digging out the lagoon, the resort laid down a few ground rules: He had to grow all new coral himself, and he was forbidden from bringing in fish, whether by hand or by chumming the waters with food. In short, every single fish you’ll find in Ruahatu is there simply because they enjoy the safety the sanctuary provides.

As we followed Martin back into the recesses of the lagoon, it was easy to see the love he has for his little slice of Polynesian paradise. He showed us the tiny coral nubbins as if they’d been borne from his womb. Fish crowded around him expectantly, like fans backstage at a rock concert, knowing he’d eventually pick up a large rock and allow them to feed on the algae that grow beneath it. He even took time to dive down and brush sand off sea anemones, whose tendrils seemed to wave a watery thank-you.

One of the coolest things we saw with Martin was an Octopus, hidden amongst some rocks, camouflaged to blend in with his surroundings. After making sure we weren’t going to attack him, the octopus made a run for it, spreading his tentacles out as he swam for shelter. As we watched, he suddenly changed colors from a yellow-beige to a burgundy red before slipping into the next crevice, where, once again, he was perfectly camouflaged. It was an amazing animal adaptation.

As reefs around the world suffer from the pressures of climate change, the degradation of water quality, and human impact, it’s incredible to explore such a lovingly tended aquatic ecosystem. Through educational programs for visitors and local Tahitian children alike (which include an opportunity to help graft coral), Martin and the Four Seasons are hoping to encourage the next generation of marine conservationists.

“We hope our guests who appreciate the beautiful environment here will devote some of their time and energy to helping us preserve this pristine ecosystem,” said Martin as we bid farewell. “This is something that the future generations should be able to enjoy.”

BY BRET LOVE PHOTOS BY BRET LOVE & MARY GABBETT

T

HINK OF EVERY SHADE OF BLUE YOU CAN imagine– Aqua, Cobalt, Powder, Royal, Turquoise...

The islands of Tahiti boast every color in that spectrum and a million more, with a remarkable natural beauty that words and pictures can’t accurately describe. It’s a magical place you have to see and experience for yourself.

All too often on our trips, “experience” becomes the operative keyword. Like most travelers, our time is limited, but we don’t want to miss anything in a given destination.

So we tend to stack activities on top of one another so densely that our adventures become a Jenga-like tower of memorable experiences. That intense schedule frequently sends us crashing into utter exhaustion.

But we discovered that the islands of Tahiti require (and reward) a more languid pace. And while the concepts of “rest” and “relaxation” do not come easily for us, our time in French Polynesia reminded us how to savor the sweet luxury of doing nothing at all.

Tahiti made me want to slow down. It made me want to savor the good things. It made me want to catch my breath, soak in the beauty of the world around me, and embrace the splendor of this thing we call life. And, perhaps most importantly, it made me want to dive down deep… both within myself and without.

INTO THE LAP OF LUXURY

Visiting the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora (FoursSeasons.com/BoraBora) is like the personification of “luxury” whispering into your ear with a sultry, seductive breath.

At the tiny airport, staff members bearing traditional leis made from fragrant tiare flowers greet you upon arrival.

You’re whisked away on a small yacht whose rich hardwood frame is offset by plush lounging couches; plied with ice-cold towels and tropical fruit juices as your luggage is brought on board; and tantalized with picturesque views of Mount Otemanu, whose peak rises like a foreboding castle spire above the lush tropical jungle. Before you even arrive at the resort’s dock, you know you won’t want to leave.

The resort’s only downside is its sprawling size, which encompasses 100 bungalows perched on stilts above the crystal clear South Pacific waters, 7 beachfront villas, four restaurants, two bars, an expansive lagoon sanctuary, spa, exercise room, and a chapel for weddings. But, if you’re in a hurry (or don’t feel like walking in the midday heat), they have a legion of golf carts ready to carry you anywhere you want to go.

Of course, once you check into the aforementioned overwater bungalows, you may find yourself not wanting to go anywhere. The rooms are massive (1,080 sq feet) and lushly appointed, with every luxury you could possibly desire.

Teakwood furnishings and traditional Polynesian artwork?

Check. Oversized tub looking out over incredible ocean scenery? Check. Breathtaking mountain views? Check.

They even provide snorkeling gear so you can swim in the water off your private deck.

Suffice it to say that, thanks to room service, we didn’t leave our room for the first 24 hours. But the incredibly relaxing taurumi-style (“health in the hands”) couples massage we got from their gorgeous spa made us glad when we finally did.

THE RUAHATU MARINE SANCTUARY

The beach sands are white and pristine, having been raked smooth in the early hours when guests are still sleeping.

The water is crystalline blue, and as still as mirrored glass.

Ten yards from shore, coral nubbins of varying shapes and sizes are grafted to stone, like seedlings in some sort of underwater greenhouse.

As we strap on our masks and head out into the warm waters, we’re instantly surrounded by all manner of marine life, from Parrotfish and Picasso Trumpetfish to playful Pufferfish. Making our way through what can only be described as a lushly landscaped coral garden, we see hundreds of different species, as well as numerous underwater sculptures colored by algae. For the next hour,

OFF INTO THE SUNSET…

we have this idyllic underwater Eden all to ourselves. This is the Ruahata (God of the Ocean) Lagoon Sanctuary.

Back in 2008, when the resort was completed, there was only land where the sanctuary is now. There was no coral in the waters between the main island of Bora Bora and the motu (or small island) upon which the Four Seasons was built, because there were no rocks upon which coral could grow. There were no fish for snorkelers to see, other than the occasional Pufferfish or Eagle Ray passing beneath the bungalows.

So the resort brought in marine biologist Oliver Martin, a native of the Antibes whom the resort’s staff came to refer to as “The Fish Whisperer.” Martin has spent the last four years tending to his coral garden daily. And, on a 75-minute private tour of the lagoon sanctuary (which is available to anyone who donates to their Adopt-A-Coral program, while

On our last night in Bora Bora, we treated ourselves to their Polynesian Style Romantic Dinner, served at a private table on the beach with a postcard-worthy view of the sunset. Tiki torches were set up to frame a tiny motu, and the sexy sounds of bossa nova emanated from the cool beachside lounge nearby.

As we sipped pina coladas and sighed at the romantic tranquility of the scene, we were festooned with a seemingly never-ending stream of tasty tropical tidbits. The appetizers offered an array of robust flavors, such as massive prawns with tangy grapefruit, remarkably sweet watermelon paired with creamy feta, fresh-caught yellowfin tuna and sesame, and delightfully marinated wagyu beef. The service was impeccable, seemingly anticipating our every need, yet never intruding on our delightfully mellow mood.

We were so stuffed from the “earthly fenua assortment” that we barely had room for our “surf ‘n’ turf umete” entrees– grilled angus beef strip loin, marinated Lagoon fish and spiny lobster– so we tried just enough of each to satisfy our curiosity, then asked them to pack us a doggy bag to take back to the room. We knew we had to save room for their decadent desserts, which more than lived up to our expectations.

By the end of our time at the Four Seasons, we were content to simply sit on our deck, ordering breakfast from room service and watching the sky change from the reddish-orange hues of morning sunrise to the brilliant blues of midday. As much as we loved the marine sanctuary, we loved spending time luxuriating in the pleasure of each other’s company even more. The peacefulness was downright blissful.

There are some trips that change your mind, such as our 2012 trip to the Middle Eastern nation of Jordan. Others, like the South African safari I took back in 2000, change your heart and soul. But our week in Tahiti changed my spirit, and I honestly don’t think it could’ve happened at a better time.

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MUSIC

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SELF

After 3 Critically Acclaimed Concept Albums, The Dear Hunter’s Casey Crescenzo Keeps It Simple

BY JOHN B. MOORE

C

ASEY CRESCENZO’S LAST FEW releases included a multi-album arc related to the color spectrum (the 9-EP Color Spectrum collection) and three complete albums based on the birth, life, and death of a boy set at the dawn of the 20th century (Acts I, II and II). So he’s earned the right to put aside any grand themes for his latest effort and just put out an album about himself. So he has.

The12-track album, Migrant, is his first on his new imprint Cave & Canary Goods, a partnership with Equal Vision Records. The latter is his new label home after leaving Triple Crown, which had put out albums by The Dear Hunter and his previous band, The Receiving End of Sirens.

Migrant, though not tied to a specific theme, still carries with it Crescenzo’s deviation from the standard guitar, drum, bass combo and includes a sweeping soundscape, a hallmark of his music.

Crescenzo spoke with us recently about the new record, the new label and the future of the Act series.

So this is your first record under the imprint you have at Equal Vision Records.

How did that come about?

After parting ways with Triple Crown Records, I had a great interest in selfreleasing but it was clear that I didn’t have the means to make that happen. After speaking with Equal Vision and understanding not only their interest in working with The Dear Hunter, but also their incredible passion for music in

general, it was a no brainier. It had been a real dream to work with them.

Do you plan on releasing albums by other bands on the label?

Most definitely! As time allows it; at the moment I am finishing up Naive Thieves’ first full length album to hopefully release in the near future. The hope is that over time it can act as a different sort of label. I would love to be able to release books, sell fine art prints, etc…. I want it to be a good outlet for the friends I have in the artistic community who might not be given the shot they deserve otherwise.

Between the Acts records and the Color Spectrum releases, you have never been shy about taking themes. That being said, is there a general theme to Migrant?

The general theme is me. It’s just a record from the heart about my hopes, fears, faults, etc. I knew I needed to pull back the curtain. I’ve spent the last decade touring the country. I needed to come up for air and take stock of myself as a human being.

Because the concept wasn’t as elaborate as previous releases, did you feel a little more relaxed writing and recording this one?

Writing for a concept is much easier.

I always give myself a set group of guidelines when writing in a concept and those internal suggestions keep me on course. For Migrant there was no road to travel. It was a field. There was a bit of running in all directions at once until I finally was comfortable just standing in

the field and looking around.

Was the entire thing written before entering the studio or did you create a lot of these when you were recording?

Yes the record was written before the studio, but the details in production were left out until we were in the studio.

You used a string section for “Whisper”.

Did you know all along you wanted that added to the song? How difficult was it to get the sound in your head on the record with that one?

Yes I knew the strings would be there from the beginning. They were written first actually. The tough part was reducing the parts down to quartet... In my head it was to be more of 16-32 musicians instead, but it made more sense with the song to drop the polyphony a bit.

Have you thought about how you are going to play these songs live? Assuming you

aren’t bringing a full string section along with you.

We’ve been playing “Whisper” for a while now, and instead of mimicking the strings, we just approach the song different.

It actually makes for a really wonderful live version.

Do you have plans to ever build on what you created with the Acts records?

I definitely have an interest to revisit that world of music as soon as I feel the natural passion to do so. I have no immediate plans, but I also have no fundamental aversion recording Act IV. What’s next for you?

Tough to say. I think we will be touring a good deal more. At the moment we are wrapping up our headliner and taking a little while off. We shall see.

Anything else you want to cover?

Nope! Thanks so much for the interview.

RISE UP

Face to Face Leads the Vanguard of Resurgent, Reformed ‘90s Punk Bands

BY JOHN B. MOORE

T

HOUGH TREVER KEITH, SINGER/guitarist for Face to Face, might not agree with me (in fact, he doesn’t), his band arguably jump-started a trend of influential ‘90s punk bands reforming after several years apart.

Brought back together in 2008, just four years after they took a break, Face to Face is among the first in a growing list of punk bands that many fans thought would never play together again. The ever-growing list now includes groups like The Vandals, Swingin’ Utters, Hot Water Music, and

influence on this record?

Plow United, among many others.

The Clash, The Jam, Stiff Little Fingers, etc.

Face to Face’s latest album, Three Chords and a Half Truth– their first for Rise Records– also happens to be one Can you talk about the inspiration behind the song “First of their best releases since the reformation. Featuring a Step, Misstep”? Were you thinking of anyone in particular dozen chant-ready songs produced by the band, the album when writing that one? showcases a group that has gradually grown a lot more Nope. It’s the story of someone who can’t think for confident in their songwriting skills. themselves, so they go along with Currently touring overseas before the I WOULDN’T CALL IT A TREND. whatever is happening at the time. release of the album, Keith was kind HONESTLY, I DON’T KNOW WHY. enough to answer a few questions from us I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF How did you guys connect with over e-mail recently, discussing the notion of band reunions, the new record and their WHEN I SAY THAT WE TRULY MISSED Rise Records?

HAVING THE BAND TOGETHER AND Some of our friends in other bands decision to join Rise.

HOW GOOD IT FELT TO PLAY MUSIC had told us about the great job they were TOGETHER AND FOR OUR FANS. doing with their records.

You guys have been back together for a few years now, but it seems like now is the time That label seems to be bracing for battle, signing you guys and a for ‘90s punk bands to start reuniting. What do you think is slew of other punk rock heavy hitters. Did their new roster have behind that trend? anything to do with why you guys wanted to work with them?

I wouldn’t call it a trend. Honestly, I don’t know why. I Sure. Knowing bands like Hot Water Music and Bouncing can only speak for myself when I say that we truly missed Souls had releases with them helped influence our decision, having the band together and how good it felt to play music for sure. together and for our fans.

I’ve gotta say that I really love this new record. iI’s quickly becoming one of my Face to Face favorites. Do you think you guys have changed much as songwriters over the years?

I hope so. One would hope that, after doing something multiple times, you get better at it. I’d like to think we’ve become a bit more refined.

Were you listening to anything in particular that had an

PG 28 • June 2013 • insiteatlanta.com

You have some Australia dates posted on your site. Do you have any U.S. dates planned anytime soon?

We have an entire U.S. tour planned, going from coast to coast for 10 weeks. Teenage Bottlerocket will be joining us, along with some others.

What else does the band have going on?

We’ll be touring all year to support the release of the new record.

FILM

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Bryce Dallas Howard & Dad Ron Howard Collaborate on Audiobook Version of Her Mom’s Novel

BY BRET LOVE

B

RYCE DALLAS HOWARD HAS been acting since the age of 8, when she began appearing as an extra in her father’s films (Parenthood, Apollo 13, How the Grinch Stole Christmas). But, having been a child star himself, Ron Howard wisely kept his four kids hidden from the harsh glare of fame’s spotlight, instead raising them in Westchester, NY and Greenwich, CT. So it wasn’t until after graduating with a BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, then paying her dues on stage at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company and New York’s The Actor’s Center, that the actress finally made her bid at stardom. It was on stage, in a production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, that Howard caught the attention of director M. Night Shyamalan.

Her breakthrough role in his follow-up to The Sixth Sense, 2004’s The Village, rocketed her directly onto Hollywood’s A-list.

In the past nine years, Howard has broken out of her father’s shadow, starring in hit films such as Spider-Man 3, Terminator Salvation, The Twilight Sage: Eclipse, 50/50 and The Help. But in 2012 she took a break from Hollywood to give birth to her second child with husband (and fellow actor) Seth Gabel.

Now, she’s back with a unique project that finds her working with her father (who served as producer) and mother (a respected author/screenwriter) on an audio book version of Cheryl Howard’s novel, In The Face of Jinn. Howard recently took some time out for an exclusive interview on growing up with a famous father, her parents’ creative influence on her career, and why recording an audio book has been a longtime dream of hers.

You obviously grew up around film sets with your dad, appearing as an extra in a few of his movies. Can you talk about what that experience was like?

I was born in L.A., but I was raised in Connecticut. My parents moved out there when I was 5 years old. I wasn’t exposed to the industry or paparazzi, but I was still able to be around my dad’s creative stuff and see how they put together a movie. So it was the best of both worlds: It was a sheltered childhood, and yet I was getting to observe what he was doing for his living.

I read online that your mom and dad didn’t let you watch any television growing up. Is that true?

Yes, they really didn’t! Obviously at friend’s houses I would see various things, but they were pretty protective. I’m the same way now with my kids.

So did you have any idea of how famous your Dad was, or that The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days were on TV almost every single day?

It dawned on me when I was older, but it wasn’t something that I was hyper aware of.

I noticed that, when we went out as a family, people would smile at him a lot.

Talk to me about growing up with two creative parents. Was there ever any doubt that you would go into a creative field yourself?

It’s not something I was very conscious of. I had a big imagination when I was young, and definitely had some artistic inclinations. My mother got her Masters from the American Film Institute (AFI), has always been a writer, and is currently a screenwriter. I remember this funny time, going out to dinner with my parents when I was just applying to colleges.

I write and act, so they were both pitching their given professions to me. My mom was like, “Here’s the benefit of being a professional writer,” and my dad was like, “Here is the benefit of being a professional actor.” They were both encouraging me to go in the directions that they had gone in, so I decided on a double major! But it was wonderful to have parents who were creative, and who I saw were so functional as creative individuals.

They lived really productive lives as artists, having kids and raising

them in a healthy environment. My mom wouldn’t call it a sacrifice, but she wasn’t writing full-time while we were growing up because it was all hands on deck, with four of us kids. With my dad’s job, we were always moving around and on different sets, and she spearheaded all of that. So we’re of her that she wrote this book, because it is so impressive and required so much research.

The book was originally printed in 2005.

What was behind the decision to do this audio book so long after the book came out?

Several things came together. My whole family was in Canada together, because that’s where I had my daughter, so we were spending a lot of time together. I was on maternity leave, and we talked about mom’s writing and how much I loved In The Face of Jinn. I talked about my long-time desire to do an audio book, and they liked that idea as well. So we pitched the idea to Audible. com and they were really interested. That’s how it happened. So I started prepping to learn all the different dialects– Pashto, Urdu, Australian, etc.– and then we recorded it a month ago.

What is the story about?

It’s about two sisters who go on a trip to the Middle East, and one of them gets kidnapped. The other sister goes on this quest to find her sister and bring her back home. On that journey, she gets swept in the middle of various terrorists. What’s pretty remarkable about it is that my mom spent so much time in that region, and all of the research she did is apparent in the book.

You really get a sense of the culture, and the various tribes and communities. It’s such a different world, and my mom really captured that. I remember when she was over there, hearing about what she went through. It was dangerous! There would be like a drug war camp with a curfew, and showing your eyes only while you’re wearing a Burka.

It’s intense!

As an actor, what’s the challenge of doing an audio book as opposed to the stage or screen?

At the end of the day, it’s a still good story well told, and I

think you naturally want to bring it to life in whatever medium you’re working in.

When I was a kid, our family vacations were always car trips. My mom, who is a very literary person, would turn on a classic audio book at the beginning of the trip. I have so many incredible memories of listing to these wonderful stories and being taken on a journey. When I became a professional actor, one of the first things I said to my agent was that I wanted to do audio books, but the opportunity just never came up.

This is one of the only performance arenas, besides improv comedy, where you get to play many different roles within the same piece.

Yeah, it’s like a one-person show. It was wild when we were doing the book on tape. We had a pretty ambitious schedule as far as the actual recording time. As we were doing it, I’d say, “Wait, can we go back to chapter 2 so I can hear how I did it there?” There are so many different kinds of characters, it was hard to keep them straight in my head.

This is the first project where you’ve worked with your mom and dad. What was it like working with your family so closely after having your own career for so long?

It was wonderful! My dad was just involved in the initial phases. He was the muse for this project, helping out with the idea of books on tape and then reaching out to my mom and setting it up. He came and visited the studio on one of the days we were recording, which was super fun. My mom would answer questions if there were any confusion, telling a story about a specific section or helping me find the rhythm she imagined. It was a really gentle collaboration.

What’s your next project? Are you going to do more directing?

In the last couple of years I’ve directed three short films. It’s been a focus of mine to develop a new project I want to direct, but I’m just now getting back into acting [after maternity leave]. There are a couple things that are going to be happening soon, but hopefully I’ll get a little more action through the audio book. insiteatlanta.com • June 2013 • PG 29

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FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS As much as we love the SAN ANTONIO SPURS around the INsite office (see: May issue), we didn’t even expect them to dominate to the tune of a four-game sweep over Memphis in the Western Conference Finals. Can’t say that we saw ESPN analyst Jalen Rose’s May 28 tweet —Hate it or love it...Parker IS the 3rd best player in the ENTIRE NBA. Period. Behind only LBJ & KD— coming either. Though we don’t agree with that overall tabulation —We’d still take Chris Paul and a healthy Kobe Bryant over Parker— we certainly consider Tony an elite point guard. In fact, here’s how we rank the league’s floor generals today: 5) Kyrie Irving, Cleveland, and Stephen Curry, Golden State (tie); 4) Rajon Rondo, Boston; 3) Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City; 2) Parker, San Antonio; 1) Paul, L.A. Clippers.

“They’re what I call team-centric. It’s about the team. Yes, professional sports are a business, and you have to have a good building that generates revenue. But ultimately those franchises are about the product on the field or on the ice or on the court. It’s about winning… I once heard Peter O’Malley say, and I’m paraphrasing here, it’s not realistic to believe that you’re going to win ever year but you should approach every year that way.

And that’s what I think these franchises have in common.” –FORMER INDIANAPOLIS COLTS GM BILL POLIAN, commenting on the San Antonio Spurs’ and Detroit Red Wings’ postseason consistency “Saturday [night‘s] announcement of EVERETT GOLSON’S quarterback evacuation from the hallowed halls of Notre Dame will be the one that hurts the most and figures to cause the most distress… Seems like the celebration after the win at Southern Cal was a decade ago. A spanking in South Beach, NFL flirtations, a fictitious girlfriend, mysterious and seemingly rash bailouts, and now the Golson situation have shell-shocked a program that was on top of the world.” -NDInsider.com writer Al Lesar on the Fighting Irish’s recent string of bad luck Though there isn’t a clear No. 1 for the “weak” June 27 NBA DRAFT —Ben McLemore has consistency issues. Nerlens Noel has health concerns. Otto Porter Jr. isn’t that explosive— there is lots of intrigue surrounding players’ potential. Here are the five names not readily

Nick Watney

in the top-choice discussion who could prove the most valuable when it’s all said and done: 5) Erick Green, Virginia Tech; 4) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia; 3) Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA; 2) Trey Burke, Michigan; 1) Cody Zeller, Indiana.

“Is it bad for golf? It depends on your theory of publicity. If you had the Kardashian feeling that any publicity is good publicity, then it’s good. If you’re a purist in terms of golf, then it’s bad. The lawsuits, the rule change, the little feud going on. My view is that it’s bad. This is supposed to be a gentleman’s game. We’re different from a lot of other pro sports.” –PGA PRO NICK WATNEY, on the recent glut of controversies (Vijah Singh’s lawsuit, Sergio Garcia’s racist comments towards Tiger Woods) in golf And finally…

University of San Diego’s Kris Bryant not only leads the NCAA in home runs with 31, but his tally is more than 231 other team totals…

Between 1963 and 2012, 141 head coaches were hired in the NFL. Only 17 of those were men of color… Both the Houston Astros (14-36) and Miami Marlins (13-37) lost on May 26, marking only the second time in the last 60 seasons that two MLB teams won fewer than 15 of their first 50 decisions in the same year… The SEC is in the final stages of naming Nashville as the “primary” home of the conference’s men’s basketball tournament… And speaking of the SEC, it also plans on making the $28 million investment soon of ensuring that every stadium in the league has WiFi.

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Modern-day dads may be responsible, mature, We spend a lot of time every summer at masculine creatures capable of bringing home Lake Allatoona, kicking back on our pontoon the bacon AND frying it up in the pan, but we boat and escaping the stress of the city. One still like our toys. Here are a few of my favorite of the coolest gadgets I’ve seen this year is Father’s Day gifts and gadgets: ETÓN’S RUKUS SOLAR (etoncorp.com), Ever since I smashed my favorite watch last a solar-powered boom box with Bluetooth year, getting a new one compatibility. The Rukus has been #1 on my wish harnesses the power of the GARMIN’S FENIX list. The environmentally sun with a 40-inch solar conscious side of me loves panel, which can play all day eco-friendly watches from outside or hold a charge up to SPROUT (sproutwatches.

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Now that SUPER BOWL XLV is over, football fans can get to the real issue: Will there be a 2011 season? If you let NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tell it, a new collective bargaining agreement is imminent. But listen to others close to the situation and they’ll say it’s not such a sure thing. While officials work out the numbers, Fanatic knows three things that’ll happen, lockout or no lockout: 1) An SEC defender (Auburn’s Nick Fairley or LSU’s Patrick Peterson) will be the No. 1 pick in the Draft; 2) An 18-game season will be approved; 3) Super Bowl XLVI will kick-off as planned on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis.

(Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers); Coach of the Year (Gregg Popovich, San Antonio); Most Improved Player (Kevin Love, Minnesota); Sixth Man of the Year (Jamal Crawford, Atlanta); Most Surprising Team (New Orleans Hornets); Biggest Disappointment (Phoenix Suns).

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

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