INsite Atlanta October 2019 Issue

October 2019

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8 YEARS! 2 G N I T ELEBRA

INSITEATLANTA.COM

VOL. 28, NO. 3 FREE

HauntEd Houses City Events

HALLOWEEN GUIDE

MORE HAUNTS INSIDE!

OPEN EVERY NIGHT FROM OCTOBER 4

TH

THRU N OVEMBER

3

RD

Conveniently Located Just Off Exit 9 of HWY 78

2076 West Park Place Blvd - Stone Mountain, GA 30087

www.FEARWORLD.com

Escape Rooms & Laser Adventure Open Year-Round!

PG 2 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

CONTENTS • OCTOBER 2019 • VOLUME 28, NO. 3

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Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

13 Netherworld 16 Toto 17 Rick Springfield 18 John Doe

13

Oversized Pretzels, Brats & Beer Cheese

Separate Kids Dance Floor

CELEBRATING DAILY THROUGH OCTOBER 27

FEATURES

09 Best Sandwiches 15 10 Top Fall Patios 12 Halloween Guide 15 Comedy Previews

Admission: $8 Mon-Fri, $10 on Sat, FREE on Sunday Time: Weekdays 6-10:30pm, Fri 6pm-Midnight, Sat 1pm-Midnight, Sun 1pm-7:00pm

1074 Edelweiss Strasse • Helen, GA 30545

For more information, contact the Alpine Helen Chamber of Commerce at 706-878-1619

HelenChamber.com

COLUMNS 04 05 06 07 07 07 08

Large Selection of German & Domestic Beers

Live German Music Dancing

YEARS! TING 28 A R B E L E

INTERVIEWS

PRESENTING THE 2019 & 49TH ANNUAL

Oktoberfest Festhalle Friends

Around Town 17 On Tap Atlanta on a Dime Station Control New Releases Under The Lights Movie Reviews 18

insiteatlanta.com STAFF LISTING Publisher Steve Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com Art Director / Web Design Nick Tipton nick@insiteatlanta.com Managing Editor Lee Valentine Smith lee@insiteatlanta.com Local Events Editor Marci Miller marci@insiteatlanta.com Movie Editor Steve Warren s.warren@insiteatlanta.com Music Editor John Moore john@insiteatlanta.com

Follow us on the web!

Contributing Writers / Interns: Alex. S. Morrison, Dave Cohen, Benjamin Carr, Demarco Williams Advertising Sales Steve Miller (404) 308-5119 • ads@insiteatlanta.com MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 76483 Atlanta, GA 30358 WEBSITE • insiteatlanta.com Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, October 2019 nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume INSITEATLANTA.COM VOL. 28, NO. 3 FREE responsibility should such advertising or editorial HauntEd Houses appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, City Events designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

S! TING 28 YEAR CELEBRA

HALLOWEEN

© Copyright 2019, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Please see our Halloween Guide on page 12!

GUI DE

MORE HAUNTS INSIDE!

insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 3

Around Town

Events and Performances taking place this Month

OCTOBER 9 - 26

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCT 12 & 13 SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCT 18 & 19

Center for Puppetry Arts

Chalktoberfest is an exciting combination of their annual Chalk Art Festival with Marietta's premier Craft Beer Festival. On Saturday, enjoy an afternoon sampling craft beers, live music from local artists, watching professional Chalk Artists chalk the streets and eating great food at the beautiful downtown square of Marietta. The Chalk Fest continues on Sunday and is free to attend. Visit chalktoberfest.com.

The Ghastly Dreadfuls The Ghastly Dreadfuls return from the afterlife for another season of supernatural storytelling with a chilling cast of characters that has made it an Atlanta cult classic. The Ghastlies will perform 15 ghost stories and musical numbers including frightful fan favorites: The 11:59, Danse Macabre, and The Horrific Experiment. A night full of creepy characters, screamworthy stories and scary songs. Puppet.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 Red Baraat

Rialto Center for the Arts

Red Baraat is a pioneering band led by dhol player Sunny Jain, the group has drawn worldwide praise for its merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy. Red Baraat empowers audiences in a celebration of the music and dance of its members. Their 2018 album, “Sound The People”, hit the top 10 on the World Music Charts Europe and was heralded in the US as the anthem soundtrack for the South Asian diaspora.

Come early for the free pre-show event featuring the Georgia Tech Bhangra Group (GTB) at 7 p.m. Visit RialtoCenter.gsu.edu.

PG 4 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

Chalktoberfest

Marietta Square

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 Run Like Hell 5K

Oakland Cemetery

The Historic Oakland Foundation hosts the largest cemetery run in the country.

Run Like Hell is one of Atlanta’s favorite neighborhood 5K fundraisers, and all proceeds go to the restoration and preservation of historic Oakland Cemetery. The race begins at 9 a.m. at Lion Square in the middle of Oakland Cemetery and covers several areas of the Cemetery as well as the Memorial Drive Greenway to the state capitol. Register at OaklandCemetery.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 Harvest on the Hooch

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center for Harvest on the Hooch. This event celebrates the vital connection between the garden and the plate and raises funds for CNC’s Unity Garden and programming. In addition to featuring local restaurants and breweries, the event includes Bluegrass music, farm animals, garden games and tours. Tickets at HarvestontheHooch.org.

Owl-O-Ween

George Busby Parkway in Kennesaw

The 5th Annual Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival is Atlanta’s Largest Hot Air Balloon Festival and costume party. Owl-O-Ween also features live entertainment on multiple stasges, roving performers, artist alley, food trucks and much more. The Beer Garden offers a variety of local and national IPA’s. Tickets at Owl-O-Ween.com.

OCTOBER 18-20 Walker Stalker

Con

Georgia World Congress Center

Walker Stalker Atlanta started with two friends taking a trip to Senoia, Georgia to watch The Walking Dead film their upcoming season. Their incredible day led to a podcast, and that podcast led to a series of fan meetups. Those fan meetups eventually became Walker Stalker Con. Today, Walker Stalker Con Atlanta welcomes more than 70,000 members of the #TWDFamily to the Georgia Congress Center each year to meet 70+ actors and artists from their favorite show. Tickets at WalkerStalkerCon.com.

OCTOBER 19, 20, 26, 27 Boo at the Zoo

Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival returns for four magical days. Sample sweet treats around the Zoo, meet friendly costume

characters, and enjoy the sights and adventures of whimsical Zoo Boo Town. Highlights include costume contests, an inflatable corn maze, music from a kids’ party DJ, appearances by storybook characters and more. Event times are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info at ZooAtlanta.org.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21

Incognito Featuring Maysa

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Incognito returns to Cobb Energy Centre for their 40th anniversary tour. The enduring success of Incognito is one of the great stories of UK music during the last four decades. Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Incognito, formed in 1979 and are celebrating 40 years of positive vibes and undiluted Jazz-Funk. Visit CobbEnergyCentre.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 Day Of The Dead

Atlanta History Center

Visitors of all ages will learn about and experience a Day of the Dead festival. Guests enjoy traditional dancing, crafts, and authentic Mexican food and entertainment.

View a display of altars honoring lost family and friends that are decorated with flowers, favorite foods, and gifts. This is a free admission day. Guests are invited to enjoy the program as well as Atlanta History Center’s historic houses, gardens, and exhibitions. Food and Drinks available for purchase. Visit AtlantaHistroyCenter.com.

On Tap this Month MAJOR EVENTS COMING TO ATLANTA

Daily through Oct 27: Festhalle in Helen, GA

HELEN, GEORGIA OKTOBERFEST

Beer, brats, bands and Lederhosen - the Helen Oktoberfest has them all! Join the longest running Oktoberfest in the United States, taking place every day in October through October 27. e Helen Festhalle houses the event. German-style bands from around the country and around the world play on the stage.

Grab your partner and take a spin on the dance floor to lively Polka music. Visit the Helenchamber.com.

Saturday, October 5: The Fred Amphitheater

GEORGE THOROGOOD

George orogood and e Destroyers have been “Destroying” stages since 1975. ey’ve sold over 15 million albums built a classic catalog of hits and played more than 8,000 live shows. ey broke records with their 50 Dates / 50 States Tour, delivered landmark performances at Live Aid radio, MTV and stage for two generations. Purchase tickets for their October 5th performance at e Fred at Amphitheater.org.

October 10 - January 5: Atlantic Station

VOLTA BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Energetic, urban and contemporary, Volta is a captivating voyage of discovery that showcases never-before-seen under the Big Top acrobatics in a visually striking world. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, Volta is a story of transformation. Featuring a live band with powerful vocalists, violinist and percussion. Visit Cirqudusoleil/volta.

October 12 - 13: Piedmont Park

ATLANTA PRIDE FESTIVAL e Atlanta Pride Festival coincides with National Coming Out Day. e Official Kickoff Party returns to the Georgia Aquarium on Friday, October 11. is event has now become a tradition for many and launches the Southeast’s largest Pride Festival. ere are two marches scheduled for Saturday and the parade begins at noon on Sunday from the Civic Center and enters Piedmont Park. Visit Atlantapride.org.

Great Beer, Great Cause

jOiN Us!

OCt. 19 NOON-5 pm DOWNTOWN DECATUR

October 19: Downtown Decatur Square

DECATUR CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

decaturbeerfestival.com

Enjoy an afternoon of beer tasting and music on the square. Each general admission ticket includes a special tasting glass and sips from more than 80 breweries.

Rock out to live music throughout the festival, while a DJ keeps you moving between sets. Get a VIP ticket for the ultimate beer festival experience with an exclusive VIP entrance and special beers made just for this event by craft brewers. Decaturbeerfestivals.com.

October 18-20: Old Fourth Ward Park

TASTE OF ATLANTA

e city’s oldest food festival is comes back October 18 - 20 to the Old Fourth Ward Park. e festivities begin with the VIP Kick-off party on Friday night.

Over the weekend experience delicious tastes from more than 90 of Atlanta's favorite restaurants. Sample exceptional food, wine, beer, and cocktail tastings and participate in seminars and food pairings and relaxing music cafes. Tickets at Tasteofatlanta.com. insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 5

Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20 Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27

JOHNS CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL SMYRNA FALL JONQUIL

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

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

By Marci Miller

Saturday & Sunday, October 5 & 6

NORCROSS ART SPLASH & WINE FESTIVAL

Downtown Historic Norcross Free & ticketed; splashfestivals.com e charming downtown district of Historic Norcross comes alive with artisan booths and a large tent where shoppers can sample wines while browsing the artist displays. Enjoy continuous live entertainment on the rasher Park Stage, energizing Kidz Zone, festival cuisine and tasty food from local restaurants. Free to attend with ticketed wine tasting tent. Free shuttle parking is available.

Saturday, October 5

TASTE OF CHAMBLEE

Downtown Chamblee $10 wristband; Tasteofchamblee.net e 12th annual Taste of Chamblee takes place on Saturday, October 5th from 4:00 - 8pm. Sample cuisines ranging from Mexican to Italian and celebrate the diverse restaurant community in Chamblee.

In addition to amazing food, the event will feature the SEC college football games on two giant LED screens and a family friendly kid zone.

Saturday, October 12

TASTE OF ACWORTH

Marietta Square; 10am - 6pm Free admission; acworthbusiness.org e Taste of Acworth offers more than 30 restaurants and 100 booths featuring businesses from around the Acworth area.

Two stages providing live entertainment throughout the day along with great food! e event also includes a kid zone featuring inflatables, a quad bungee, and challenging games. Admission is free and food samples range from $1 to $4. Bring the family and join over 25,000 people.

Saturday & Sunday, October 12 & 13

FESTIVAL ON PONCE Free; Olmsted Linear Park FestivalonPonce.com

e Festival on Ponce is a 2-Day local arts and crafts event held at the Olmsted Linear Park. e Artist's Market features arts and handmade crafts. ere is a Children's Park, local food and beverage concessions and live acoustic entertainment. Attendance is free. Stroll the event while enjoying the art, the historic gardens and appreciate the legacy of one of America's most celebrated landscape architects.

Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek GA Free; SplashFestivals.com

e serene green space across from e Atlanta Athletic Club will come alive with 130 artisans from around the country. is beautiful and sprawling spot overlooking Medlock Bridge Road is the perfect venue to showcase the talented artisans who will be exhibiting their paintings, pottery, metalwork, folk art, glass, jewelry and yard art.

Free Admission; Village Green in Downtown Smyrna; smyrnacity.com e Fall Jonquil Festival takes place Saturday, October 27 from 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday, October 28 from 12 pm - 5 pm.

Featuring 150 hand-made arts & crafts booths, local non-profit booths, puppet shows, live music, plenty of festival foods, a local entertainment stage, costume parade and all types of children's activities.

Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20 Saturday November 2

BROOKHAVEN ARTS FESTIVAL TASTE OF KENNESAW behind Brookhaven MARTA Free; BrookhavenArtsFestival.com

Downtown Kennesaw Free admission; Kennesaw.com

e 15th annual Brookhaven Arts Festival showcases over 140 artists with musical performances taking place over the two days. Enjoy art, terrific food, music, kids’ activities and a classic car show on Sunday from 1 – 4pm. e festival is located on Apple Valley Rd. behind the Brookhaven MARTA station. Free parking in the lot.

Taste of Kennesaw offers samplings from over 40 local restaurants for just $1 - $4.

Grab a cold beverage from the beer garden, Kids Zone, sample delicious food, and sit back and listen to great music. e Main Street stage offers local entertainment all day and culminates with a free concert at 6:00 p.m.

SMYRNA FALL JONQUIL

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 26 & 27 Free • Downtown Smyrna smyrnacity.com

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

PG 6 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

Under The Lights

NEW TO THE STAGE THIS MONTH

SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS

October 4 - 27 The Alliance Theatre (404) 733-5000 AllianceTheatre.org In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six strangers in search of serenity meet at a silent wellness retreat for what they hope will be a lifechanging five-day experience.

Guided by an unseen guru, they are challenged to abandon technology and reset. As they confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Filled with awkward and insightful humor, Small Mouth Sounds is a unique and compassionate new play that asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us.

ONCE October 11The Fox Theatre

(855) 285-8499 FoxTheatre.org Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between

them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. This unforgettable story is about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect all of us. The show will play at the Fox Theatre for a limited one-night engagement on October 11.

WICKED The Fox Theatre October 23 - November 17 855.285.8499 FoxTheatre.org/Wicked The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emeraldgreen skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

With a thrilling score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” WICKED has been hailed as the defining musical of the decade. Having recently celebrated its 15th anniversary on Broadway, WICKED is the winner of over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.

HOME THEATER

NEW RELEASES

THE LATEST DVD, BLU RAY & VOD RELEASES

By John Moore

CLARENCE CLEMONS – WHO DO I THINK I AM (MVDVisual)

The dearly missed Clarence Clemons, know best as the towering sax player and staple of Springsteen’s E Street Band, turned in a fantastic memoir 10 years ago, so you might expect this doc to be just as entertaining. Sadly, it misses the mark for just about everyone but diehard Boss fanatics. The film focuses on a global path to self-discovery Clemens took shortly after the band finished a tour in 2003, leading him to China. Among the interviews included here are takes from longtime fan Bill Clinton, his nephew and eventual replacement, Jake Clemens, and his longtime bandmate Nils Lofgren. Oddly, there is no interview with Springsteen.

THE HUSTLE (MGM/Universal)

Remakes are always a tough sell, but a remake of a remake is usually, rightfully, bad from the start. The Hustle is a big exception.

With a smart gender switch, adding in Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson to the lead rolls, they manage to brilliantly sidestep comparisons to 1988’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

(a remake of a 1964’s Bedtime Story). The two cons team up to swindle an awkward tech billionaire. The updates made to the movie aren’t nearly as forced as one might expect but help carry on this hilarious premise to an entirely new generation.

THE HARDER THEY COME [COLLECTOR’S EDITION] (Shout! Factory)

This 1972 Jamaican crime thriller starring Jimmy Cliff may have been eclipsed by the phenomenal soundtrack, a reggae classic, but this re-release is reason enough to give the movie another shot. This 3-disc collector’s set includes an amazing 6-hours of bonus material. Along with interviews collected in Jamaica last year, this set also includes director Perry Henzell’s long-lost second movie No Place Like Home (to the surprise of no one, that movie also comes with a stellar soundtrack featuring everyone from Bob Marley to Carly Simon and Etta James). Shout! Factory has really upped the game for re-releases with this impressive set.

TV

Station Control

FEMALE LEADS FIGHT BACK

BY BENJAMIN CARR

The Boys

C

RIME DOES OR DOESN’T PAY, depending on which television characters you ask. In the latest really good series to hit screens female characters are at the center, hunting criminals or breaking laws on their own. The results are funny, twisted and deeply compelling.

ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

(Showtime) Kirsten Dunst, who has delivered compelling performances throughout her life and for whom we should be eternally grateful, delivers her first lead television performance since her Emmy-nominated work in Fargo’s second season in this wacky, fantastic show.

Dunst plays Krystal Stubbs, the wife of a mulleted, former football star idiot named Travis (Alexander Skarsgard). Travis has invested all of the family money in a pyramid scheme called FAM, a business driven by recruiting gullible schmucks into believing they can be millionaires. Krystal, no idiot, tries to get her family out of the mess.

But when her husband exits the picture suddenly, Krystal vows revenge on FAM - while also struggling to keep her house and keep her baby fed. She constructs a devious, notentirely-legal plan to abuse her friends and get to the top of the pyramid scheme. And then topple it.

Desperate characters making criminal decisions to help their family survive have fueled great shows, including Breaking Bad. But On Becoming a God is infused with trashy comedy, colorful characters and hilarious moments.

And Dunst shines like a wacky rhinestone at the center of it. Desperate to survive, Krystal is one of the best characters of Dunst’s career, which has spanned from Interview with the Vampire to Melancholia.

WHY WOMEN KILL (CBS All Access)

Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry’s latest series features even more desperate wives. These women are different though.

They are less desperate and more killer. And the structure of this series leads viewers to expect the unexpected. Three diverse, fantastic actresses - Lucy Liu, Ginnifer Goodwin and The Good Place’s Kirby Howell-Baptiste - serve as the protagonists in stories that promise to eventually turn violent.

Centered around three wives who live in the same house in three different decades, this soapy black comedy tells you - right from the title - that, eventually, someone in Beth Ann’s polished 1960s life, Simone’s radical 1980s story and Taylor’s modern tale is gonna get murdered. But the show doesn’t tell you who or when or how. So therein lies the hook.

On Becoming a God in Central Florida

Beth Ann (Goodwin) is a homemaker married to a successful engineer, trying to keep their lives picture perfect. She puts up a beautiful veneer to hide some painful secrets she hides about her family and discovers about her husband.

Simone (Liu) is a vain, rich, egomaniacal Alexis Carrington type, obsessed with glitz and glamour. Her world is turned completely upside down when she discovers that her husband has secret gay affairs.

Taylor (Howell-Baptiste) is a successful, bisexual lawyer in an open marriage to a screenwriter. But, when her girlfriend needs help and a place to stay, it upsets arrangements and starts causing hiccups in her marriage.

The morality of those times may be different, but the end result is going to be the same. In doing this, Cherry has crafted some damn compelling TV.

UNBELIEVABLE (Netflix)

This painful, difficult limited series, based upon a real police investigation of a serial rapist, is an intense, upsetting and worthy piece of work. Starring Booksmart’s Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette and Emmy winner Merritt Wever, this is one of the year’s best shows.

Told in two time periods three years apart, the show examines the experiences of a woman after she reports a rape to police in Washington, only to have her story doubted and two detectives who investigate a serial attacker in Colorado using different methods and an approach of more compassion.

Viewers learn very quickly that the attacker in the cases uses the same methods in his crime.

And we wait for the characters to find that out, curious about what will happen afterward.

And Unbelievable does not disappoint. It will leave you angry, frustrated and inspired to help victims. It will also leave you grateful that such talented actresses are tackling such complex material.

Unbelievable

insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 7

MOVIES

Movie Reviews

AD ASTRA AD ASTRA (PG-13)

 As a boy I was always watching sciencefiction movies, except when I was reading sci-fi books. Now, with much of the fiction having become fact, we’re lucky to get one sci-fi movie a year – but most of them are really good. This year’s, Ad Astra, is one of the good ones; but it got me over my boyhood dream of going into space (which a high school classmate actually achieved). Seeing Ad Astra in Imax gives you a sense of the vastness of space; on a regular screen it’s only half-vast. Much of it takes place in Brad Pitt’s head, projected at about a 1000 times lifesize. He plays Maj. Roy McBride, an astronaut who’s unnaturally calm in the face of constant psychological evaluations. The assignment that finally gets his pulse racing involves his father (Tommy Lee Jones), a rockstar astronaut who went up on a mission 29 years ago and never came down. Now it’s suspected that he’s behind a series of power surges coming from Neptune that threaten Earth and the rest of the solar system. It’s rumored that he killed the rest of his team when they wanted to return to Earth and he didn’t. So Roy is dealing with daddy issues as well as trying to save the planet when he travels to the moon, Mars and finally Neptune. He’ll find out what he has in common with his father and what he doesn’t. If the film seems slow at times, consider how the 79-day trip from Mars to Neptune would feel.

DOWNTON ABBEY (PG)

 I’m not sure how the Downton Abbey movie will work for someone who is totally unfamiliar with the characters and their backstories. I watched the show primarily for Maggie Smith’s oneliners. She’s got a new batch, though she loses

as often as she wins against her sparring partner, Penelope Wilton. Smith is always so good you want to give her an award just for breathing; but not wanting to take a chance, they’ve written in a serious scene for her near the end that has “For Your Consideration: Best Supporting Actress” written all over it. Aside from that moment, the film is generally a bit lighter in tone than the TV series; and Kevin Doyle as Molesley scores the biggest laugh of all. Writer Julian Fellowes has done an amazing job of involving the entire cast in the story, most with their own subplots, as if cramming an entire season into two hours. It’s 1927 and the main plot involves a visit by King George V and Queen Mary to Downton Abbey.

They bring their own staff (including a French chef who should have been played by Sacha Baron Cohen), which creates animosity among the resident help and leads to a sort of uprising.

There are also new flirtations and romances, an old secret revealed, petty theft, a pregnancy, a gay bar raid and an assassination attempt, among other things; yet there’s still time for scenic views of the estate and some of its rooms, which certainly look grand on a large theater screen.

Fans of the series don’t have to be told to return to Downton Abbey. If you’ve never seen it, I can’t predict how this will serve as an introduction.

JUDY

Allison’s scientific efforts and the personal story of Jim Allison, a beer-drinking, harmonicaplaying Texas boy and Willie Nelson fan. The average viewer is more likely to respond to one or the other than both, but there are connections, of course. Jim’s mother died of lymphoma when he was 11. He was interested in science from the time he got his first chemistry set. His high school wouldn’t teach evolution. T-cells were discovered when he was in college. Much later he found the T-cell receptor, the molecule that identifies diseased cells for the T-cell to attack.

But cancer cells are immune to T-cells. Allison and his co-workers found a way to break through that immunity with antibodies and developed a

RAMBO: LAST BLOOD

RAMBO: LAST BLOOD (R)

JIM ALLISON: BREAKTHROUGH (PG-13)

 If there’s anything harder than curing cancer it’s making a movie about curing cancer that’s interesting and understandable to a dummy like me without being dumbed down to the point where it’s offensive to anyone with half a brain.

If I had to choose I’d prefer to see the former achieved, and to an extent it has been. Writerproducer-director Bill Haney is transparent about how he hopes to achieve the latter, going back and forth between the stuff about Dr. James 1/2

drug called Ipilimumab. (Why? Were all the other names taken?) The hard part was finding a Big Pharma company to finance the long, expensive trials. Bristol-Myers Squibb stepped up and last year Jim received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work in Immunotherapy.

Haney crams in as much music and emotion as he can, but I was just glad to hear the cancer cure news that hasn’t received nearly enough attention outside of scientific journals. Some loose threads are wrapped up during the credits, but not whether Jim is able to cure the cancer in his own body.

JUDY (PG-13)

DOWNTON ABBEY PG 8 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

of the Town, where at least some of the ticketbuyers are hoping to see her have a meltdown on stage, which would give them more to talk about than if they saw her in peak form. There are also flashbacks to teen Judy (played by Darci Shaw) filming The Wizard of Oz at MGM, where she learned to rely on pills for sleeping, staying awake and everything in between. Viewed through a modern filter, scenes where Louis B. Mayer gets close or puts a fatherly hand on her seem borderline creepy. In 1968-69 Judy fights ex-husband Sid Luft (Rufus Sewell) for custody of their children, Lorna and Joey; and runs into older daughter Liza Minnelli, now 22 and on her own, at the party where she meets her final husband, Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock).

Though Garland’s talent shines through in most of the musical numbers (voiced by Zellweger!), the honest portrayal of how she was at the end of her life is not the way fans want to remember her; but it’s a portrayal for which Zellweger will be long remembered.

 There was only one Judy Garland. There still is, but it’s a different one: Renée Zellweger, in a performance for which they should already be engraving the Oscar. It would merit the award for its dramatic range alone; but add in the singing and the impersonation aspect, and you’ve got what may be the performance of the decade – and I’m not one of Zellweger’s biggest fans. The movie around it is good but not great, but who looks at the Mona Lisa and notices the frame?

It’s the mostly sad story of part of the last year of Judy’s life. “Unreliable and uninsurable,” and unable to pay for the hotel she’s been living in, Garland accepts an engagement at London’s Talk

1/2 In the current climate – not the one that’s changing – it’s impossible to review this new sequel without getting political. John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), veteran of Vietnam and at least two private wars, lives on his peaceful Arizona ranch with Maria (Adriana Barraza) (his housekeeper?), presumably a legal immigrant, and her teenage granddaughter Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal), who calls him “Uncle John.” Gabrielle disobeys Rambo and goes to Mexico to confront the father who deserted her and her late mother a decade ago. There she’s kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring headed by the two Martinez brothers, one of whom is the most despicable character ever seen on the screen – and he’s the good one. Rambo goes looking for Gabrielle and, as if to show there are good people on both sides of the border, meets an investigative journalist (Paz Vega) who lost her sister to the same gang. The first three Rambo movies have been translated into Spanish so you’d think the cartel dudes would know better than to mess with this guy or anyone near him. The bad stuff happens in the first hour, giving Rambo half an hour for revenge. He booby-traps the ranch, including a network of tunnels he’s built underneath and stocked with enough weapons for a well-regulated militia – you’d think he’s been planning this for years – and lures the bad hombres there in a motorcade that has no trouble crossing the border. What happens next pushes the R rating to its limits and should cause the movie to be marketed in Mexico as a horror flick. It wasn’t filmed there but it makes Mexico look like a s---hole country, even if the worst of their drug dealers, rapists and murderers are no match for our all-American boy. Rambo: Last Blood is slickly made and should appeal to fans of the genre who don’t demand logic or credibility.

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

Taste of the Month Sandwiches!

Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs

Marietta 80 Powers Ferry Rd. (at Hwy. 120) 770.321.1177 I Doraville 5697 Buford Hwy. (Just north of 285) 770.455.8570 Milton 12890 Hwy. 9 (1/8 mile West of Windward Pkwy.) 678.580.0434 Baldinos.us

Voted best in Atlanta again this past year, Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs is recognized as the only true New Jersey sub sandwich in the South. Their in-store bakery assures the freshest rolls baked daily. Throughout October they are offering up a different specialty sub each day for just $3.99! Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs also serves homemade soups and fresh baked cookies and brownies. For catering they offer single subs, party subs, deli salads by the pound, cookies by the dozen, and iced-tea by the gallon that won’t break the bank. Head on in to Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs and watch your favorite team, or head on out with a Baldinos Family Sub (pictured) and enjoy the game at home with a few of your friends.

Johnny’s NY Style Pizza

Tailgate HEADQUARTERS Order online at

baldinos.us

3.99

$

Multiple Locations JohnnysPizza.com

Johnny’s Pizza has come to be synonymous with great pizza and subs in Atlanta. They always use the finest ingredients. Hot OvenToasted Subs are served with: Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions and Johnny's Own Great Italian Oil & Vinegar Dressing. Try their Johnny’s Special which is an Italian sub made with ham, salami and capicolli meats. The Johnny’s Turkey sub is made with the highest quality Hormel breast meat. They offer several hot Parmesana style subs toasted with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. These include: chicken, eggplant, Italian sausage and meatball. Johnny’s restaurants offer dine-in, take-out and delivery. Call your nearest location for special catering menus being offered this fall.

DAILY SPECIALS! OCTOBER DAILY SPECIALS MONDAY baldinos® Combo (#4) w/ choice of side

Downwind Restaurant Dekalb Peachtree Airport 2000 Airport Rd.

TUESDAY Turkey out with (#18) Lean Smoked Turkey & Cheese

#201 770.452.0973 DownwindRestaurant.com

WEDNESDAY Itzza Meatball (#12) w/ choice of soup or side

Downwind has been serving award winning food for almost 30 years! From fresh baked turkey for the Turkey Club to Wild Caught Salmon for the BLT, deciding what to eat is not an easy one. Other sandwiches offered include Tuna, Chicken Salad, Egg Salad, BLT’s and Grilled Cheese. Recently pairing up with “The Hunter Cattle Company” for their grass fed, grass finished pork & beef; they have added Hunter burgers to the lineup of already famous burgers! Downwind has something for everyone including all “Wild Caught” fish such as Grouper, Sea Bass, Salmon, Mahi Mahi and Barramundi. Open Monday - Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday 11am - 10pm, Saturday noon - 9pm, closed on Sunday. Downwind equals great food, service, value and plane fun!

THURSDAY The Grilled American Grilled & Toasted!!

FRIDAY Meatless Combo - Tuna (#10) or Veg Stir Fry (#27) w/ side SATURDAY Steak Out-A-Steak Sub Your Choice (#11, #13 or #19) SUNDAY Italian Special - (#15) w/ choice of soup or side Marietta 80 Powers Ferry Road (770) 321-1177 (closed Sundays)

Athens Pizza House 1341 Clairmont Rd.

Doraville 5697 Buford Hwy (770) 455-8570

Milton 12890 Hwy 9 (678) 580-0434

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

404.636.1100 AthensPizzaAtlanta.com

Since 1966 Athens Pizza has been serving up great Greek and Italian cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area. Some of the favorite recipes on their Greek dishes go back over 50 years! They have many terrific sandwiches on their menu with a Mediterranean flair. For example their half pound burger comes on grilled Ciabatta bread topped with roasted red pepper feta spread.

There is also a Greek style oven roasted lamb sandwich on French roll. The Italian Sub comes with Athens Greek dressing, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cappicola, pepperoni, Genoa salami and provolone cheese. While your here most haves are their Veal Parmesana, Roasted Lamb or the Oven Baked Chicken. Athens Pizza offers daily specials for lunch and dinner and has an extensive catering menu. Athens Pizza is Zagat rated and winner of several awards including Best Greek Cuisine. The restaurant can also accommodate parties large and small with their private room.

Mo’s Pizza 3109 Briarcliff Rd. 404.320.1258 MosPizza.com Mo’s Pizza has been serving up great pizza and subs for over 30 years. Here you will find a huge Italian Sub made with ham, pepperoni, genoa salami, mozzarella, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and Italian dressing. Their Italian Sausage comes from a special recipe and is sliced and grilled with onions, topped with Marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Their Philly Cheese Steak is real sirloin steak that is trimmed and sliced on premise and grilled with onions and topped with American cheese. Come to Mo’s this fall to watch all your college and pro football games on one of the plenty of new plasma TVs offering great views from any table. They are one of the longest running neighborhood restaurants in Atlanta, come in and see why their customers say they are one of the best.

Savage Pizza 484 Moreland Ave L5P 404.523.0500

115 Laredo Dr. Avondale 404.299.5799 SavagePizza.com Savage Pizza prepares all their sandwiches using only the freshest ingredients. Their innovative, homemade sauces, fresh dough, and thoughtfully prepared dishes are made from scratch every day. The Italian Sub is comes with fresh cuts of capicolla, salami, pepperoni and provolone -served hot, crusty and melted. The Turkey-Cheddar Sub comes with smoked black forest turkey and cheddar cheese served hot. Try Savage's Eggplant Parmesan Sub; breaded and baked eggplant, red tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone and parmesan. Savage serves both lunch and dinner, has indoor and outdoor seating and offers catering and delivery.

Atlanta’s Favorite Pizza!

Multiple Atlanta Locations: JohnnysPizza.com insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 9

Fall Patio Guide

Places to Go when Dining Outdoors!

Park Tavern

500 10th Street NE 404.249.0001 ParkTavern.com

Cuisine. So don’t let the name fool you, there is much more here than great pizza.

Some of the favorite recipes on their Greek dishes go back over 50 years!

Athens Pizza offers daily specials for lunch and dinner. With the beautiful Atlanta autumn weather, diners head out to their patio which can also be booked for private parties. Athens Pizza offers an extensive catering menu for events.

Agave

242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 AgaveRestaurant.com

The Patio at Park Tavern is conveniently located on the Atlanta Beltline on the corner of 10th and Monroe. The Park Tavern has one of the best views in the city overlooking Piedmont Park and the Midtown Skyline. This amazing backdrop provides for a great atmosphere and is dog-friendly. The large climate controlled patio includes table seating, private cabanas, an oyster bar, fire pits, and TV's to catch your favorite teams in action. The patio can be transformed for weddings, private events, and concerts.

Fall at Park Tavern brings movie nights, Atlanta United viewing parties, Atlanta Pride events, concerts like Electric Ave and Saints & Sinners and the ice skating rink returns Thanksgiving Day.

their deck which is perched right above the runways. Choose from their award winning burgers, great sandwiches and some of the best seafood in Atlanta. They offer something for everyone: Trivia on Wednesday nights 7-9, "Date Night" Friday nights where it's Adults only after 6:30pm with Live music, aviation-themed playground right next to the restaurant where the kids can play before or after your meal. Full bar available too.

Athens Pizza House

1341 Clairmont Rd. Decatur 404.636.1100 AthensPizzaAtlanta.com

The Downwind Restaurant

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

Located inside the Dekalb Peachtree Airport off of Clairmont Road in Chamblee, this family owned restaurant is celebrating its 30th year! Come dine on

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

Athens Pizza is Zagat rated and winner of several awards including Best Greek

wings, nachos and salads ensure that anybody who comes here can find something they like. Check for daily lunch and dinner specials. Everything is made using the freshest ingredients including the dough built from scratch every day. In fall, their front deck is the place to be. Families and friends gather to enjoy food and drink, watch the Falcons and college football on one of their many screens.

Henry's Midtown Tavern 132 10th Street NE 404.537.4477 HenrysATL.com

Consistently voted the Best Southwestern restaurant in Atlanta, Agave’s menu is a unique blend of eclectic southwestern cuisine and chef inspired dishes with an authentic southwestern flare. Before being seated, head to their expansive tequila bar where one can get two for one appetizers 5pm - 7pm seven days a week.

Then head to your table on their heated southwestern designed patio. This month Agave turns 19! Make a reservation for Wednesday, Oct 23 for a special Tequila Anniversary dinner. Great food and award winning margaritas make this a Cabbagetown favorite.

Mo’s Pizza

3109 Briarcliff Rd. 404.320.1258 MosPizza.com

Mo’s has been serving up great pizza in Atlanta for over 30 years! But the menu isn’t limited to pizza: sandwiches, subs,

Henry’s is located on bustling 10th Street in the heart of Midtown. Henry’s welcomes people who crave a good atmosphere as much as great food. Named for owner Maureen Kalmanson’s dog, Henry’s offers an ideal mix of high-end and casual.

The spacious interior is home to two bars and seating for 160, but the patios are most popular by their patrons when weather accommodates. Their casual, chef-driven menu was created by award-winning Chef Daniel Chance. Visit them for lunch and dinner plus brunch on the weekends.

ATLANTA’S BEST PATIO SCENE

Anniversary Dinner . . .

AGAVE TURNS 19!

Join us for a 6 Course Tequila Dinner

Featuring Don Julio 1942 & Friends!

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 Visit agaverestaurant.com to reserve your seat

132 10th Street NE • Midtown (404) 537-4477• HenrysATL.com

AtlAntA’s Best tApAs RestAuRAnt

oted Best V y tl n te is s n Co argaritas M & n r te s e Southw in Atlanta!

ATLANTA’S BEST LIVE LATIN MUSIC 7 NIGHTS A WEEK! 4505 AshfoRd dunwoody Rd. 678.205.5862 764 MiAMi CiRCle 404.846.0449 Full Service Catering Available • eclipsediluna.com PG 10 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

Savage Pizza

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

ing oven. This world class oven can maintain a temperature of 1,000 degrees and cooks pizza unlike anything you have ever experienced. Their patio is among the hottest places to be in Inman Park as the entire dining room opens up to the lively street scene.

Twin Peaks Restaurant 3365 Piedmont Rd. 404.961.8946 TwinPeaksRestaurant.com

This eclectic neighborhood restaurant is a favorite hangout among residents of Little 5 and Avondale Estates. They offer a wide variety of salads, subs, calzones and of course pizzas to choose from at affordable prices. Savage Pizza uses only the freshest vegetables, top quality meats, cheeses, breads and pastas. On their menu you'll find innovative homemade sauces and thoughtfully prepared dishes made from scratch every day. Savage offers lunch & dinner with delivery to the area. Both locations offer patio seating.

Fritti

309 N. Highland Ave. 404.880.9559 Frittiatl.com

Twin Peaks, the mountain lodge-style sports restaurant in Buckhead and its beautiful Twin Peaks girls offer great views! All three patios: street level, second floor open air and lively rooftop are attended by the Twin Peaks wait staff.

Twin Peaks offers high-quality comfort food with a wide array of sandwiches and salads to choose from. Choose from an extensive selection of 29-degree draft beers on 32 taps while the girls pour and serve into huge ice-cold, frosted mugs.

Several rooms are available for private parties, corporate and holiday functions.

award winning tapas to choose from there is something to please any taste.

The Tapas is affordably priced to encourage multiple sampling. Eclipse di Luna has been named as one of "Atlanta's Top 100 Restaurants" and "Best Tapas". Both their locations offer open-air al fresco dining that makes for an incredible atmosphere. Upon entering you feel like you’ve been transported into an exotic locale. Eclipse di Luna has been voted Best Tapas by INsite readers several years running. Visit their Dunwoody location on Saturday night, October 26 for their annual Monster Bash party. Free admission till 10:00pm; costumes a must.

Located in the heart of historic Inman Park just walking distance from the Atlanta BeltLine, Fritti is nationally recognized for its award winning pizza.

Here you can get an authentic Neapolitan prepared according to traditional artisan methods in a state of the art wood-burn-

Eclipse di Luna set the trend in Tapas style restaurants in Atlanta. They offer a high-energy dining experience with live entertainment nightly and an artsy setting as a backdrop. With over two dozen

Escorpion

800 Peachtree St. Midtown 678.666.5198 Escorpionatl.com

Loca Luna

550-C Amsterdam Ave. 404.875.4494 loca-luna.com

Eclipse di Luna

764 Miami Circle 404.846.0449 4505 Ashford Dunwoody 678.205.5862 EclipsediLuna.com

a tropical outdoor patio with Midtown skyline view. Enjoy a wide range of Snapchat worthy tapas. The happening bar is open till 2:30am on weekends. Make sure to try their world famous Mojito. The happening bar is open till 2:30am on weekends with a wide selection of exotic cocktails, top shelf liquor and wines to complement a good meal or a night of dancing. Loca Luna has also been voted best late night venue, patio, appetizers, latin music and girls night out. They feature live Latin music every night on their large dance floor and the hottest DJ's spin late night on Fridays and Saturdays. Plenty of free parking and free valet available.

Samba. Salsa. Merengue. They have it all at Loca Luna, where you'll find live Latin music nightly and savory dishes from Spain, South America and Latin America.

Their location on Amsterdam Ave, directly on the East side of Piedmont Park, offers

Escorpion is a regionally inspired Mexican tequila bar and cantina from chef-owner Riccardo Ullio. The restaurant captures the authentic tastes and ingredients indigenous to the country as Escorpion’s food and drink menus are rooted in Mexican flavors and culture.

Find familiar favorites like tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas but offered with a twist. Escorpion’s chefs create exotic specialties like their Tinga Taco; a Mexican meat dish made with pork and sausage, slowly cooked and served in a corn tortilla. The atmosphere is electric making Escorpion one of the hottest restaurants in Midtown.

Live Music & Entertainment • Full Bar • Daily Specials • Takeout Available

Downwind Restaurant at the Dekalb Peachtree Airport

Mon-Fri 11am-9pm • Saturday Noon-9pm • Sunday Closed

770.452.0973 • 2000 Airport Rd. #201, Atlanta DownwindRestaurant.com

Visit us on

Best Tapas Best Salsa Band Best Latin Music Best Salsa Dancing Best Girls Night Out

loca-luna.com 550 Amsterdam Ave NE • Atlanta, GA 30306

Soak up the sun!

PATIO SEATING Great Subs, Sandwiches, Salads & Wings Since 1980

(Mondays Only)

$8.50 Large Cheese Pizza!

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

3109 Briarcliff Rd. • (404) 320-1258 • MosPizza.com insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 11

INsite’s Guide to Halloween Haunts, Parks, Tours, Museums, Parades and Costumes Haunts

Netherworld

2076 West Park Place Blvd., Stone Mtn. (404) 608 - 2484 fearworld.com Open Nightly October 5 - November 4

Returning for its 23rd year of thrilling scares Netherworld Haunted House is back for their most shocking season yet with two incredibly detailed attractions filled to the brim with pulse pounding action and excitement! Night if the Gorgon is literally crawling with classical horror and topped off with intense special effects and incredible creatures that have never been seen before. Cold Blooded plunges you head long into an out of control facility swarming with savage reptilian monstrosities and unforgettably mind-blowing experiences. Also available on site this year is the all new Netherworld Laser Adventure Battle Arena, four highlydetailed Escape Games, a monster museum dubbed “House of Creeps,” a new souvenir photo system, even more cool gift shop merchandise, and expanded food and beverage options to enjoy while you wait in line. With tiered pricing and reserved time tickets, visitors have more options than ever before. Plenty of free parking on site, with additional free overflow parking just across the street.

Camp Blood

2277 Whooping Creek Rd. Carrolton CampBlood.com 770.854.CAMP (2267) Open Thurs, Fri & Sat nights through November 2nd; Frights begin at 9pm.

Box office opens at 8pm; closes at 11pm weekdays and midnight on Fri & Sat. Now in their 29th year, Camp offers Blood thrills & screams Hillbilly & Redneck style! New for 2019 is Cajun Carnage! Take a walk through a deserted (or is it?) Cajun town deep in the backwoods swamps before you find yourself on the Legendary Camp Blood Trail. The trail is over a half-mile of redneck terror where hungry haunted hillbillies & dead rednecks try and search out their favorite nighttime snack, you! Do you have what it takes to walk through the haunted woods of Camp Blood? There are plenty of things to do while you wait your turn to enter the haunt including a redneck fortune teller, sitting by the campfire and hanging out with "Maw Maw", watching a movie in the "Redneck Theatre", visiting the gift shop, concession stand and paintball pro-shop or playing carnival games to help raise money to buy toys for the kids Christmas at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Purchase your carnival game tickets from the owner, Michelle at the box office window or inside the concessions area and do your part in putting a smile on a kids face this Christmas. Camp Blood & Cajun

over 29 Years of terror!

Every thursday, Friday & Saturday Through November 2!

Home of Haunted Hillbillies and Dead Rednecks!

Walking Dead’s

Savanah Wehunt New for 2019!

Saturday, Oct. 19th 2277 Whooping Creek Road • Carrollton, GA 30116

(770) 854-2267 • campblood.com Proud supporter of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

PG 12 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

Visit us on

Carnage is only $25 for both haunts.

Come meet Savanah Jade Wehunt of The Walking Dead on Saturday, October 19th! Also Way Out Games will be there every weekend in October for you to test your skills in their portable escape room.

Box office opens at 8pm and the frights begin at 9pm. Watch for updates, guest appearances and other info or purchase tickets in advance online at CampBlood.com. Follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/camp.blood.haunt.

Parks

Six Flags Fright Fest

275 Riverside Parkway Austell, GA Sixflags.com/overgeorgia; Now-11/2 It's a spooky time of year at Six Flags Over Georgia. as zombies and ghouls take over the park. Enjoy thrills and activities for the whole family throughout the day and come back for a truly frightening evening of fun after the sun goes down. Fright Fest offers a wide variety of places to get your scare on including several haunted houses and scare zones located throughout the park.

Walt Disney World Resort

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Orlando; Disneyworld.com; Now-11/1 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event that takes place after normal park hours. A new

fireworks, projection and laser show “Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular” joins such fan favorites as “Mickey’s Booto-You Halloween Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show, Disney characters are in their finest Halloween garb and trick-or-treating throughout the park. The frightfully festive fun also includes spellbinding décor, spooky lighting and spine-tingling music park-wide.

Universal Orlando

Halloween Horror Nights HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando Select Nights Through Nov. 2 Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween experience where some of the biggest names in pop culture, crazed cult favorites and original abominations take over Universal Studios Florida. As the sun sets on days filled with thrills the night awakens with a frightening chill. Guests will face 10 elaborately-themed haunted houses, five scare zones filled with menacing scare actors, and live entertainment including an all-new nighttime lagoon show, “Halloween Marathon of Mayhem.”

EVENTS

NETHERWORLD IN FOCUS

Co-founder Billy Messina Fine-Tunes the Haunts

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

P

RESENTING A HAUNTED HOUSE ATTRACTION is a tough job but Netherworld co-founders Billy Messina and Ben Armstrong continue to turn years of hard work into good, scary fun. Now in its 23rd season, the phantasmagorical palace continues to expand and develop new, finely detailed story arcs within the framework of two main sections.

This year the main haunts are a monster-palooza called “Night of the Gorgon” and the gritty, industrial grind of the futuristic “Cold Blooded.” But those chilling quadrants are only half the fun. This year the Stone Mountain-based spookshop features four elaborately themed escape rooms and a sprawling laser-tag adventure.

Messina, who constantly shifts from Creative Director duties at Dragon Con to plate-spinning Netherworld impresario, took some time out of his hectic schedule to speak with INsite.

How do you shift from Dragon Con mindset to Netherworld?

You don’t really shift gears, you just have to multitask. This year’s Dragon Con was awesome and Netherworld had a big presence there. We had some of the monsters out for the parade and everyone was having fun. There’s just not enough time between that and the haunts because Netherworld seems to come right on the heels of Dragon Con. There’s many a time I’ll be leaving a voicemail and I’ll start to say one when it’s the other one I’m dealing with at that moment.

But in both cases, you’re in production mode all year long.

Oh, absolutely. There’s a lot of overlap so it’s all pretty symbiotic in the way that both need to be done. And there are definite benefits to being involved in both. Problem is, there’s just no time for sleep.

Even after all these years, your excitement about both shows continues to be inspirational.

It’s a definite challenge but at the end of the day it’s totally worth it. It’s still fun for me. But how can it not be? We get to make people happy and we get to make people scream and see them take selfies and laugh and buy t-shirts. How could that not be exciting?

Last year was the first Netherworld at its new location. Now that you’re firmly established there, how’s everything going?

Yeah and last year kind of feels like a hundred years ago now. We’ve learned a lot and we got some great feedback in the process. People seem to love it and they appreciate the additional parking because we have a lot of on-site parking now. Everything is kind of right there for everyone. The building is massive. Since it was the first year, we were taking chances and just making educated guesses for the most part.

But you never really know until you dive in and then it’s like, ‘Oh wait a minute, let’s move things around this year. Let’s watch how people naturally react to it.’ Only then we’ll know what we’re either doing right or wrong. I do have to say, I think we were pretty much right a lot of the time. But there was a lot of learning and we’re using it all this year to make it an even better experience.

How has it expanded from last year’s inaugural celebration?

I think this year we’ve got even more photo op possibilities

and lots more fun stuff out in the midway. The haunts are just better, too. As with the old location, we never throw anything out. A lot of it goes to storage so we can continue to rotate out the big props as we need them. We can take one out of commission for a while and turn it into a different kind of monster for the longer story arcs. But for the most part, it’s just a matter of layering and collecting more stuff and letting more cobwebs kind of take hold. Real ones and fake ones.

I think every aspect of the experience is a big part of the show. Of course, every year we try to outdo ourselves and make things bigger, better, more inspiring and more epic. Now we’ve had a whole year to build on last year’s show.

Do you change the story arcs every year?

We build on them. Every year is different but it’s also familiar enough for repeat visits. There’ll be old favorite elements like the spinning tunnel and of course there’ll be a chain saw in there somewhere and lots of big, scary monsters. There’ll be more monsters this year, actually. So it’s definitely exciting for us. We have to enjoy it first. We love to entertain people and we love to entertain ourselves.

Space wise it’s the same venue, but how have you changed the core of the attraction itself?

It’s always Netherworld but we’ve certainly made some additions. We’ve added a laser arena outside which runs during haunted house season as well. We’ve added a new escape room, too.

I’m especially excited about the new ticketing NOW UNTIL NOV. 9 element we’ve added this year.

NETHERWORLD

The laser tag is a new level of scary entertainment.

We have a lot of space and obviously it’s Stone Mountain great to be open around Halloween but to fearworld.com be open on the size and level that we are Tell us about the new ticket options. is a definite challenge. So we’re trying to We’ve changed it up to offer more options become an entertainment depot. Everything and choices as far as nights that are available and the related pricing. Basically it opens up more value nights we do is gonna be Netherworld because all the escape rooms, games and all the themes and set dressing is very much within so people can visit for better ticket deals. You can come early in the month of October and you can get to see both haunts for the style of the attraction. It’s creepy, it’s highly detailed and around twenty-five bucks - even without a coupon. And then if elaborate. So the laser tag extends the brand to an adventure.

We have the space outside, all these great props and nobody’s you find a discount coupon out there, it’s an even better deal. really doing it on a level like we thought we could pull it off. It’s a complex adventure. If you’re a kid – of whatever age – who There’s also a new time-ticketing option for the instant likes to play games like Fortnight or whatever, it’s like a video gratification crowd, correct? game. It has all the same sort of game plays Right, we’ve just added the time option. It’s a new and limited option but basically you can THERE’S STRICT ATTENTION that are built into it. I can’t even wrap my brain around parts of it. Luckily, we have a say, ‘I want to come on Saturday the 18th at TO DETAIL, STORY ARCS bunch of cool millennials who do get it. It’s 9 o’clock’ or whatever. Leave enough time for AND JUST QUALITY IN like they say, ‘Go forward, do great things.’ parking and such, but for example, you’d get GENERAL. IT’S THE SAME It’ll be open during the haunt season and there at the time and you go to special cuing.

IN EVERY ASPECT OF WHAT then beyond. And even people who claim When 9 o’clock rolls around, they flip the sign WE DO. WE ARE ALWAYS not to like it, ‘Oh I don’t want to do laser and let you right in. There’s still a bit of inside WORKING TOWARD DOING tag, kids do that,’ or whatever, often they’ll cuing but you’re going through the museums give it a shot and it’s a blast. So it’s basically and concessions so it’s not a boring wait at SOMETHING NEW AND an extension for us to do more cool stuff. all. It’s an expedited way to visit Netherworld DIFFERENT. We take pride in putting the Netherworld for people who want to plan their evenings name on it or we wouldn’t do it - and we without having to purchase a speed-pass. And it’s not as much as the speed-pass for people who want to plan feel that everything we do has to meet those expectations. ahead. I think it’s a good option. Like with every improvement, Quality seems to be the main underlying theme of all we’ll see how people react to it. If it’s embraced we’ll probably things Netherworld. move forward with more options like that in the future.

Right, there’s strict attention to detail, story arcs and just quality in general. It’s the same in every aspect of what we So you’re basically fine-tuning everything this year. do. We are always working toward doing something new That’s exactly right, from ticketing to how we’re cuing to the and different. It’s been twenty-three years now, so the main merchandise to just the basic day to day - or night to night challenge is to do something diverse as opposed to the usual elements that are all necessary for the attraction. haunted house themes. It has to excite us and we have to be In addition to the show itself. inspired by it. So if we like it, I think our guests will as well. insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 13

Tours

Haunted Happenings

Aurora Theatre Lawrenceville (678) 226-6222 AuroraTheatre.com Take a scary stroll on a moonlit night in Metro-Atlanta’s oldest city. The L awrenceville Ghost Tour, highlighted by a trip to the old jail, takes place every night in October. Lawrenceville Haunted Cemetery Tour explores the nationally renowned paranormal hot spot on weekends. Brews & Boos Lawrenceville Haunted Pub Crawl is a 21 and over tour which includes libations.

Fox Theatre Ghost Tours

The Fox Theatre (855) 285-8499 FoxTheatre.org; October 9,15 & 17 The Fox Theatre Ghost Tours are back for three nights only this Halloween season. Brave guests will walk through the historic theatre to learn about the Fox’s 90 years of ghostly sightings and unexplained events. Tour attendees will hear stories from Mr. and Mrs. Fox, who will be joined by other characters from the Fox’s past, as they share details of the theatre’s haunted history. Spooks and scares will be around every shadowy corner as guides recount supernatural tales collected from theatre staff over the years.

Spirit of Oakland Halloween

Oakland Cemetery (404) 688-2107 OaklandCemetery.com Enjoy historic Oakland Cemetery after dark at Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours. Stories of some of the

cemetery’s noted residents come to life in one of the few times visitors can explore Oakland Cemetery after dark. Meet some of Oakland’s residents in a Halloween tour that enlightens, not frightens. A costumed docent guides you through the cemetery’s beautifully-lit Victorian Gardens. Tour includes live music.

Museums

Atlanta History Center

Haunted Halloween (404) 814-4000 AtlantaHistoryCenter.com Expect the unexpected as night falls across Atlanta History Center’s 33-acre campus. A witch and assorted ghouls take over Smith Family Farm, while wizards work up magic potions outside Swan House.

Meanwhile, a vampire saloon in Swan Woods has scares on tap, and a long-shuttered hospital will be haunted by tortured souls. Gentler Halloween fun for the youngest trick-ortreaters is reserved for the main building during this one-night-only program.

Fernbank Fright Night

Friday, October 25; 7pm – 11pm (404) 929-6300 FernbankMuseum.org Fernbank Museums annual costume party is a screaming good time. This adults-only party features a costume contest, music, dancing, twilight access to the Halloween-themed outdoor experience Woodland Spirits, access to the special exhibit Traveling the Silk Road and more.

Themed cocktails, craft beer and small plates will be available for purchase.

FANFRIGGINTASTIC HALLOWEEN COSTUMES! /psychosistersatlanta

@psycho_sisters

428 MORELAND AVE NE ATLANTA (NEXT TO VORTEX) 404-523-0100 • OPEN 10AM – 10PM(ISH) PG 14 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

Parades

Little Five Halloween Parade

From Euclid Ave. to Freedom Pkwy.

Oct. 19, 4 - 6 pm L5PHalloween.com Head to Little Five Points this Halloween season for the 19th annual Halloween parade and festival. The festival takes place Saturday, October 19 from noon to 10:00pm. Festivities will consist of live entertainment on two stages, great food selections and shopping from local artisans who, along with the area businesses, provide a wide variety of offerings for festival attendees. The Parade runs from 4:00 - 6:00 pm beginning on Euclid and ends at Freedom Parkway.

Haints & Saints Parade

Post Office to Decatur Square; Sunday Oct. 27, 5pm Homegrowndecatur.com In 2011, the Haints & Saints Halloween Parade was born as a small walking parade around the square.

The next year they added floats, bands, hearses & classic cars. The event has grown each year and now includes live music.

Costumes & Accessories

Norcostco Atlanta Costume 2089 Monroe Dr. 404.874.7511 Norcostco.com Extended hours begin October 10

Norcostco has served as Atlanta’s theatrical superstore for more than 40 years!

They rent and sell costumes and accessories, makeup, wigs, hats, foggers, black lights, strobe lights, and much more.

Norcostco is America’s oldest costume rental house with the most outstanding collection of rental costumes available in the widest range of sizes, from all periods of costume history.

Not only does Norcostco have exclusive, original costumes include drag wear, masquerade and rave/club wear; you will also find Atlanta’s largest selection of professional, air-brush and FX make-up, prosthetics, zombie kits, vampire teeth and more. Let their trained staff show you what Norcostco Atlanta Costume is all about!

Psycho Sisters Little 5 Points 428 Moreland (By Vortex) 404.523.0100 Follow us on Facebook psychosistersatlanta

Established in 1991, Psycho Sisters in Famous Little 5 Points, Atlanta is Far Out! If you love timeless fashion, Psycho Sisters offers you the best of every era vintage, mixed in with more desirable current funky trends.

Let Psycho Sisters super friendly sales team help you create an outrageous Halloween costume, the perfect outfit for any party or special occasion, or simply mix and match our pieces to originally express yourself. If you're a lover of accessories, Psycho Sisters offers a dazzling array of masquerade and specialty masks, steam punk items, sunglasses at $10, top hats & tutus, cowboy and combat boots, hosiery, colorful wigs and wings, belly dancer garb, classy costume jewelry and so much more. If you love leather & lace, fur & fringe, sequins & anything sparkly, then Psycho Sisters is your Sugar Daddy for Fashion.

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ATLANTA PRIDE CELEBRATION OCTOBER 11-13, 2019

COMEDY

LAFFTOBERFEST

As the Leaves Fall, Comedy is in Bloom All Over Town

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

T PRESS TIME, THE FATE OF THE Relapse Theater was in jeopardy but if the popular comedy venue is in fact forced to close, Atlanta still has plenty of great platforms for fans of the comedic arts. October is an especially ripe month for laughter with the return of the Red Clay Comedy Festival and a diverse lot of shows for all tastes, at a number of different sites conveniently spread out all across town.

Here is a sampling of this month’s happily varied comedic offerings.

MARIA BAMFORD

One of the hottest comedians on the scene, Bamford is not only an audience favorite, but many fellow comics cite her as one of their own personal choices for observational humor.

Her comedy is often based on her real-life experiences - as was the case with her popular “Lady Dynamite” series on Netflix.

The comedian/actress/voice artist is best known for her hilarious but heart-wrenching portrayals of her dysfunctional family and emotionally raw and vulnerable comedy centering on her own bouts with depression and anxiety. A typical stand-up from Bamford touches on an array of topics including darker moments about suicide and psychiatric conditions. Somehow she keeps it all funny and relatable. “I developed my most recent special during daytime shows not far from where I live, at a wine bar of all places,” she said during a recent interview. “I live too far from L.A. to do all the clubs there, so I do this little black box theater near me. Turns out, you can get thirty or forty people out in the daytime to hear new material. A lot of self-employed goofballs will come see a show.

It comes down to the amount of energy you have in any given day.

I can do an hour here and not have to drive all over town at night just to do 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. So if I can get an hour to perform, that’s even better.

For me, I’m more of a theatrical act anyway, so it’s not always as dependent on the audience.

It’s not always like, ‘God the audience has got to be great tonight for this to work. It’s more down to me. So I’m doing what I can with what I have. We’ll see how it works out in this special and this tour. I don’t like going out for long periods of time, I’d rather be home with my friends. So it takes me about three years to develop a special and then I have to try and pitch it and see if anybody will purchase it.

So I’ll perform this material for another six months or so until the new special goes up.

Then I’ll start replacing it all with new stuff.”

Some comics insist on new jokes for every tour and Bamford is amazed at their productivity. “It’s unbelievable. I’m not like that. I’m a tortoise for sure. But I don’t worry about it too much. I was talking at my gymnasium with someone recently. And you know how it is when someone finds out what you do. Every job has its own special reaction from people. ‘Oh you’re a teacher? Oh my

God, I could do that but I won’t.’ You know?

Comedy always get a very emotional reaction.

So she found out I was a comedian and the woman, who was my age, she said, ‘Well what have you done?’ I said, ‘Well, I’ve done two Comedy Central specials, one on Amazon, the show TV on Netflix, another show that was released for free at Christmas one year, stuff on You Tube. You know, things like that.’ And she said, ‘Well ok, what else?’ But that’s how it is today. People consume so much stuff then they want more. I’ll talk to people after the show and they say, ‘Well what are you working on?’

I’m like, ‘This! I just did it!’ But it’s everywhere.

My husband is a painter and he’ll work for a year on a painting. Then people walk past it and go. ‘Huh, that’s good,’ then they’ll keep walking. Or they’ll look at a painting that took him a year to do and they’ll go, ‘Oh that’s good.

Can you do one of my dog?’”

Maria Bamford headlines the Red Clay Comedy Festival, at 8 and 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 5 at The Earl. Visit www.redclaycomedy.com for tickets and full schedule.

JEFF FOXWORTHY

In June, as the Georgia resident was prepping for his recent role as a judge on NBC’s Bring The Funny series, he was also plotting the rest of his stand-up schedule for the year. “it seems like I’ve been on more flights this year than ever before. What I’d like to do maybe next, would be to show how a stand-up act goes, from start to JEFF FOXWORTHY finish. I mean, from the conception to the Fox, basically.

I’d like to show the process of developing stand-up.

I’ve been thinking about just going around town as they film me, going to little spots. Like on a Monday night with thirty people in the audience and just pull out this new stuff I’m writing to show how it goes from there to the theater.

So people can see behind the curtain a little bit. When you do it right it looks easy but there’s a lot of work that goes into comedy.” It seems Foxworthy is making good on his concept with the recent announcement of three Sunday afternoon shows at Laughing Skull this month. With a less-than-80-seat capacity, the shows are sure to sell out.

Jeff Foxworthy presents his “Under Construction” shows at Laughing Skull, October 6, 20 and 27. Showtime is 2 p.m. Visit laughingskulllounge.com for tickets.

MCQUEEN

Something new for the discriminating comedy fan. Comedian/producer MCQUEEN (Comedy Central, Funny or Die) isn’t a headliner name – yet. But you’ve probably seen his work on the Comedy Central digital series “Heads WIll Roll.” The nationally touring artist has played the major clubs in NYC and LA and the New York Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest and headlined the recent Funny Or Die tour. He brings his hybrid of music, visuals

MCQUEEN

and comedy to The Highland Inn Ballroom for a one-man show that’s a must-see for fans of experimental comedy, music and pop culture.

Onstage he creates an insular world of songs, voiceovers and projections - which Thom Yorke of Radiohead hails as “just brilliant!” and The New York Times praises as a “dynamic, high-tech blend of music, impressions and stand-up.” Impressive stuff. For his all-new live show, McQueen will perform tracks from his debut album Black Cat, with original visuals to create an audio and video soundscape. His new album (slated for release on October 25 from aspecialthing Records) is a genre-defying collection of non-sequiturs, original characters and hilarious pop references.

McQueen plays the Highland Inn Ballroom Sunday, October 13 at 8 p.m. For tickets visit reshtix.com/events/mcqueen-atlanta or mcqueenlive.com.

MARC MARON

He’s known for his wildly successful WTF podcast and roles on Maron and GLOW, but Maron has logged hours of time on Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Air America. He hosted Comedy Central’s Short Attention Span Theater and even the 2002 American version of the British game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks on VH1. But his insightful commentary on the human condition and his candid interviews with musicians, politicians and writers on WTF has solidified his following. He stops at the Tabernacle on a tour that starts in Los Angeles and includes shows at The Kennedy Center in New York and the James K. Polk Theater in Nashville.

Marc Maron performs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19 at The Tabernacle.

MAZ JOBRANI

A founding member of the Axis Of Evil Comedy Tour, the comedian/actor/writer is also known for his recent stint in the sitcom Superior Donuts. His Netflix special Immigrant is a classic example of storytellingstyle comedy.

Maz Jobrani appears at The Punchline October 17 through 19. Visit punchline.com for showtimes and ticket availability.

CRAIG FERGUSON

The comic/former late-night host/actor says his “Hobo Fabulous” show was “never meant to be filmed.” Nevertheless it’s coming next month as a six episode TV show from @ comedydynamics. See him perform bits from it live on the historic Tabernacle stage a month before it airs.

Craig Ferguson performs at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 4 at the Tabernacle. For tickets, visit livenation.com.

JO KOY

From the coffeehouse circuit to major halls, Koy’s humor has remained consistently sharp and his barbs have highlighted episodes of Adam Carolla’s show, Chelsea Lately and every major late-night show. He takes the sprawling Symphony Hall stage by storm on October 4 as part of his “Just Kidding” world tour.

Jo Koy appears Friday, October 4 and Sunday, October 6 at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall.

MARIA BAMFORD

insiteatlanta.com • October 2019 • PG 15

MUSIC

HOLD THE LINE

Toto’s Steve Lukather Dials in Time to Preview the Band’s Return

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

O

personal, it all goes away. Once we hit the stage, we become 17-year-old kids again.

We really enjoy ourselves and you can see it. I still really enjoy my job. And people still enjoy what we do so we’re lucky. I could be a bitter old drunk guy, hating life and playing to twelve people in Needles, California, you know? You’ve seen ‘em.

But people are still enjoying our music.

We still record but let’s be honest, even the old fans who love the deep cuts, even they want to hear the old stuff. But that’s ok. We can add some new stuff but we love playing it all. There are certain things we’ve gotta play and it’s fun to play those songs to an audience that wants to hear it.

I mean, I’d never listen to it at home, but you know what I mean.

N A RARE DAY OFF FROM Toto’s “40 Trips Around The Sun” tour, guitarist and co-founder Steve Lukather is relaxing in a hotel room.

He’s fine with skipping the sights of the Denver after another successful night of playing the band’s hits and deep cuts in a continuing celebration of four decades of work.

Along the way, he’s made an indelible name for himself as an in-demand session guy, playing on everything from Michael Jackson’s Thriller to Ringo Starr’s latest album, set for release later this month.

He’s travelled the world since forming the now-classic rock band while still in his teens.

Toto’s hits have remained in You don’t have to listen to constant rotation on every Thursday, Oct. 10 • 8pm it, you lived it. audio form since 1978.

Well yeah that’s true. Last Symphony Hall Hits like “Hold The Line,” year I did a book and we “Rosanna,” and “Africa” atlantasymphony.org put a discography of a lot of continue to captivate it in the back. listeners who weren’t even born when the original versions were At this point, when you look at your released. discography, what do think?

This month, Toto returns to Symphony I can’t believe it. It’s actually sort of Hall, site of last year’s sold out visit, and daunting to even look at. I’m like, ‘Did I the gregarious Lukather recently spoke at really do all of that?’ But I’ve spent pretty length by phone with INsite. much my whole life being on the road and I never had to do much else. I can’t say Congratulations on 40-plus years of not on my deathbed that I’ve wasted my life only the expansive Toto catalog but also because I certainly stayed busy. And I’m your own impressive body of work. still motivated. I was just practicing today Thank you, brother. I guess being a because I still care about music. survivor has its perks, right? I’ve seen a lot of stuff come and go. It’s definitely a weird I’ve heard some of the brand new Toto life. It’s wonderful but it’s sure weird. stuff and I was pleasantly surprised that it sounds remarkably like vintage Toto.

A lot of people would trade places with (Laughs) Well it is us. It’s interesting you you in a minute. say that because I guess it’s true. But we Yeah but they only see the good parts. don’t ever try to do that and we’ve never Imagine months of interrupted sleep. discussed it, it just is. When I play Toto You’re on the bus and it rolls into the hotel songs with Ringo or if we do some charity at 4 in the morning. You’re constantly thing with other people, even though it’s on the move and away from your family. the right notes and the same song, it just You spend a lot of time in empty rooms. I doesn’t sound the same. There’s something mean, I’ve been on the road for 43, going intangible, I guess you could say, that on 44 years now. I saw every sight, every happens when we play together. We all touristy thing you can do, four decades bring something to it and it all comes out ago. So today I’m just enjoying the day off. as this big gumbo that sounds like Toto.

TOTO

I was going to ask how the tour is going, but I can’t see you having a bad night.

The band is playing great. Killer shows. No matter what’s going on in the background, legal or businesswise or

That’s pretty impressive because there’s been quite a bit of personnel change in the lineups.

Yeah, now I’m the only one that’s been

there day-to-day. So consequentially I sort of got pushed to the front of the band by accident. It wasn’t my idea. But now we have Joseph Williams back and we had multiplatinum success with him and we’re childhood friends. Steve Porcaro and I have been playing together since we were 15 years old in high school and Lenny Castro has been with us on percussion since day one. We’re missing a couple of brothers who’ve passed away and there’s not much we can do about that.

But their spirit is there.

Absolutely! Every time we play a note their spirit is with us, there’s just no question about it. We’re always telling stories about things that happened years ago and everybody has a different view.

I mean everybody has a different point of view of even the same day! But they’re always in the room with us and in the spirit of the music that we made.

The songs really hold up. I saw you with Ringo’s All-Starr Band a couple of years ago and the three Toto songs you did got almost a Beatle-level reaction from the audience. People absolutely love those songs.

Oh well thanks but no, don’t even say that. I’m just glad people dig what we did.

The Beatles are a whole other thing from us or anybody. But I do love Ringo and I’m going to be in his band again next year, too. He’s done a lot of great things for me.

I’m on an album with him and it’s us and Paul McCartney is playing bass. So it was me, Paul and Ringo in the same room.

We’d worked together before but not in that context.

I know the Beatles mean a lot to you, as they do to many of us, but you’ve managed to work with them on the international stage.

I mean, yeah. And what are the odds?

A kid staring at a black and white TV set going, ‘I want to be like them.’ Then 50 years later, I’m walking on stage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that event. If you were looking at it from

PG 16 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

mathematical odds, there’d be a whole lot of zeroes on the end of that equation.

You definitely beat those odds.

I was focused and determined to do it.

Plus, I can’t really do anything else! Now that I’m around third base at nearly 45 years in, I think if I’ve fooled everyone this long, I’ve probably got it till the end of my days.

1977 was a big year for you.

It sure was! That spring is when we did the first Toto demos, actually. Then I got the gig with Boz Scaggs that summer, on his Silk Degrees tour which was huge. And I was just 19 years old. Then by that fall, we were in the studio starting to work on the first Toto album. So I was busy all the time after that, with the band and also as a session guy. It was a huge year for me and here I’ve blinked and it’s over forty years later! I can’t believe that we’re looking at 2020. 2020?! Are you kidding me? Where’s my flying car, you dig?

The first Toto album was released 41 years ago this month. I remember when it was new and it just exploded - which as you know, doesn’t always happen with a band’s debut record. How did that feel from inside the whirlwind?

We were blown away. You always just hope and dream, right? Then when it first started to happen, we were like, ‘Wow, you mean we’re actually gonna pull this off?’ I mean come on, we were talking about odds. What are the odds of that?

So we took the ride. Now, all these years later, I sorta haven’t looked back since that moment. Then it was like a snowball going down the hill and you’re holding on for dear life. There were some rough times, of course. It wasn’t all good. It’s a roller coaster ride like with anything. You go down and up, but right now, I’ve gotta say it’s pretty nice to be on an ‘up.’ We’re looking forward to coming back down there and playing and leaving everybody with a big smile and a pleasant taste in your mouth after seeing us. The band is really killin’ right now and I’m really proud of it.

MUSIC

MIXING IT UP

Rick Springfield is Featured on New AXS TV Interview Series

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

T

HE NEW AXS TV SHOW MIXTAPE airs every Thursday night this month at 8:30 p.m. est. The eight-episode season features a different rock icon each week, with in-depth interviews as they discuss their personal favorite songs while sharing their own “mixtape playlist” of music that inspired them and influenced their storied careers.

Among the artists profiled on the intriguing show are Mick Jones, Don McLean, Don Felder, Robby Krieger, Dennis Quaid, Todd Rundgren and Micky Dolenz. A surprisingly candid episode features singersongwriter/actor/author Rick Springfield, who discusses the origins of his massive hit “Jessie’s Girl.”

“I started going to this stained glass place in Pasadena. And the reason I kept going was because there was this girl there that was burning hot and she had a boyfriend, his name was Gary, and she didn’t want anything to do with me. So I took my sexual angst home and wrote a song about her. I tried ‘Gary’s Girl,’ but it didn’t ring. I actually had this original lyric sheet and I changed it to ‘Randy’s Girl.’ I’d actually started writing, ‘Randy is a friend,’ and halfway through that line I thought, ‘You know what, no.’ So this name Jessie popped up in my head. I loved it, I went full tilt on the writing and recording thing.”

Before he played Symphony Hall this summer, INsite spoke with Springfield about his career, his new symphonic album Orchestrating My Life and why he thrashes his guitar with bouquets of roses at every show.

Last year you toured with a solo acoustic show and now you’re really opening up the sound with the symphony shows and the album. As much fun as playing with a band is, the power of a symphony takes the whole thing up a notch.

It does and now with the new technology of recording, think the songs are more powerful than ever. Probably the best they’ve ever sounded.

Some of your songs seem destined for the symphonic treatment. But did some just not work with that setting?

It did happen. We had to pick and choose for both the record and the live shows with a

full orchestra. Obviously the ones with more space in them really worked and the ballads were generally home runs. But it’s funny, the space was really filled by the orchestra and that sort of power is much different than just using synth pads. That would be pointless. It’s a much more organic and even more acoustic feel at times, to play with the orchestra. It takes to a whole different level.

Currently you’re mixing up the shows with acoustic gigs, full band performances and the symphonic events. How do you keep it all in focus?

Well they all require a completely different mindset. The acoustic shows are fun because they are very laid back, storytelling shows.

The band shows, I’ve been doing those the longest and that’s the one I’m the most confident with. But I do like the storytelling shows because I can ad lib and just throw stories and songs in whenever I feel like it.

The orchestra shows are the direct opposite of that because everything’s on click to keep the orchestra and band together. It’s quite a discipline. There’s a lot of coordination involved. But every type of show has a very different setlist. I don’t want to just play the same songs over and over, in the same order. It keeps it interesting for everybody. It definitely keeps us on our toes.

Any creative artist needs a good challenge.

Yeah if you do the same show over and over it gets so boring. I used to do that in the ‘80s. it got pretty stressful and just not much fun. When I started back out, I wanted to make it feel like it used to be. And now I don’t even like the big long tours. We go out for a couple of days and then it’s back home for a while. It stays fresh that way and the audience can feel that we’re into it.

You play a wide range of venues – from symphonic halls to state fairs – but can you tell a difference from place to place or even city to city?

It’s definitely a venue thing. Each venue has a different vibe. It’s not so much a city to city thing but the audience definitely plays a part.

It’s a biorhythm thing more than anything.

Some nights they can be more up and loud and some nights it’s the direct opposite.

Same with the band and the same with me.

I can be more up one night and into it and that can change the whole show. But there’s always a lot of work involved and most

importantly the contact. That connection with the audience, no matter where I’m playing, that’s what I really love about it. That’s what changes the show for me personally, how I connect with the audience on that given night.

Do you try to recreate that feeling every night?

Yeah and that’s what makes it exciting is that challenge. You can play the same songs but it can feel completely different. That’s really why I got back into it. I missed that connection and for me there’s no other way to get that than by playing live.

There’s a big visual element to all of the shows in the past few years.

Yeah, we’ve used the video walls for a while now, even for the solo shows. I have a lot of private, home photos and movies and it just helps to explain what I’m talking about because every show is a journey through my life and music.

That journey spans a long time and you actually stepped away from playing for quite a while. ’88 to ’99 is an eternity to be away from the industry.

It was a long time. And what I’m happy to see is that the touring thing has become more important than ever. That’s fine for

me because that’s what I love the most anyway. But the changes for both created new opportunities and shut down a lot of the old ways. But that’s the way things evolve in anything these days.

Your songs, even though upbeat on the outside, have always had a bit of a dark element, even the rockers.

Yeah, well I think it’s because I always just write about what concerns me. The older you get, the more things concern you. I write about God and the world. Sex is still in there, of course. But the list of things that need to be addressed gets longer and longer.

Tell us about that flower move that you do.

How did that come about?

Oh, someone was trying to shove roses at me once when we were playing. I said, ‘I’m playing I can’t take them right now,’ but they kept pushing them at me. They had thorns on ‘em and they really hurt. So I got pissed off and took the roses and smacked them against the guitar. Rose petals went everywhere. Then people started bringing roses to the shows and I’ve done it ever since. The stage gets pretty slippery sometimes from all the petals all over the place.

Mixtape airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on AXS TV.

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MUSIC

BY THE BOOK

John Doe has More Fun with Punk Rock History

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

T

HOUGH MANY ARE QUALIFIED for the title, John Doe is an undisputed grandfather of punk rock. Along with some like-minded pals - including his future wife Exene Cervenka - he helped establish the punk scene in gritty late ‘70s Los Angeles.

He told the first part of the scene’s rich history in Under The Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk. Co-written with Tom DeSavia, the 2016 book recounted the origins of the scene in the oral history tradition. A number of veterans from that world contributed their own voices to the story including Jane Wiedlin of The GoGo’s, Mike Watt of The Minutemen and Henry Rollins. The resulting audiobook was nominated for a Grammy.

Now the prolific musician/writer/actor is back with a sequel called More Fun In The New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk. For the new volume, Doe and DeSavia again curated contributors to narrate their own important events from 1982 to 1987. The result is an incredibly rich retelling of a pivotal period of rock music.

Doe has enjoyed a flurry of recent activity with a blistering reunion of the L.A. punk supergroup The Flesh Eaters, lengthy tours with X and a number of quirky roles in edgy independent films. A few days before a recent run with Squeeze, Doe spoke with INsite about his new book and the possibility of new music from X in progress - tentatively scheduled for release on Black Friday’s Record Store Day next month.

Under The Big Black Sun needed a sequel.

After 1980, everything was in flux and it’s great that you’ve captured a valuable snapshot of the times.

Yeah, after 1980, things were really changing. Not just in Los Angeles but all over the country. People were starting to go on tour more and more and things got stretched a little thin as far as any sort of real community. Everything has a life and everything has a definite shelf-life. And for us, the audience had gotten so much bigger, it allowed people to stretch out and try different types of music and really dig into different genres.

As the ‘80s began, the potential audience - even for bands in L.A. - grew many times over, right?

Oh yeah, it went from 500 to, I don’t know, maybe 5000. You could have 15 shows going on just in L.A., and they’d all have a decent attendance.

Like with any scene, people were drawn to it and obviously wanted to participate.

Yeah, that’s why you had the whole cowpunk scene and the Paisley Underground and the Ska movement and hardcore. That’s when hardcore really took off. It was just all over the place and there was an audience for all of it, to support it.

By 1982, for example, the scene you’d helped ignite had grown into something almost unrecognizable.

Yeah if you look at the longevity of most music scenes, they’re surprisingly short.

Usually two to four years and then it has pretty much run its natural course. But what was the real turning point in putting this particular book together was when PG 18 • October 2019 • insiteatlanta.com

I described it to my partner. She said it sounded horrible. It was so depressing. The first scene falls apart, people go on tour, people get on drugs, people die. All these sorts of things. But then she pointed out that the legacy of what we stood for, the DIY ethos and things like that, had filtered into other art forms by then.

It expanded so far beyond the original Hollywood scene in a very short time.

That’s exactly right and that’s when I looked in my phonebook and said, ‘Oh I can call Shepard Fairey, I know him, he likes punk rock. I can talk to Tim Robbins, the same thing goes for him.’ But I still really didn’t have a clear idea whether it would actually work or not.

Ultimately it did and their voices help tell the story.

Well I knew that they could probably write something. I knew that they were influenced by punk rock but I didn’t know all the details.

It was pretty cool to find out that Tim started the Actors Gang at that time because he didn’t want to do the same old-same-old in theater. And that Shepard was out in South Carolina feeling just very unsatisfied. Then he started hearing punk rock and it turned him around. And he’s probably the most influential living [visual] artist.

So then it went from them to [pro skateboarder] Tony Hawk to [film director] Allison Anders and [writer/ archivist] Bill Morgan, they all took that DIY thing and just ran with it. So we included their stories.

It’s very much in the spirit of community that you continue to let the participants and the consumers tell the story in their own voices. If you’d done it from solely your perspective there’d be the naysayers who complain about your singular vision.

Well even going back to the first book, I didn’t want to be ‘the authority.’ And this way I didn’t have to do it all myself. I could be like Tom Sawyer and get other people to help me paint the fence. But I didn’t realize how much true variety we’d get. I mean sure, I liked the fact that there were all these kids from East L.A. coming to our shows. But I couldn’t tell that story. I could tell my side of the story, but I couldn’t tell the story from their perspective.

The city and general locations are a big part of the story and the influences.

Right, I personally couldn’t tell the story that Jane Wiedlin told about living in the [then-dilapidated punk dive] Canterbury because I didn’t live there. Just like I couldn’t tell the story of being a woman in the scene.

She could because she’d lived it.

As with any good oral history, the actual voices are key and their literal voices are telling the story again on the new audiobook.

In twenty years, if anybody even gives a shit about punk rock - and I think they will - they

That’s really bringing it around full circle.

Yeah it is because for this one, it’ll be a couple of older songs - “Delta 88” and “Cyrano De Berger’s Back” - which were on an anthology in ’98, I think. But they were just kinda demos and terrible recordings, so it’s been fun. And now Fat Possum has reissued our first four albums. can refer to these people, in their own voice, telling their story.

People are doing their damnedest to document their own lives with cellphones and social media but in the process we’re losing the bigger picture.

That was a plus in writing the book, actually.

If you’re in a grocery store and you see somebody with a cool jacket on, you might say, ‘Hey that’s a cool jacket, where’d ya get that?’

They’ll probably want to talk to you because people just sorta want to tell their story.

The X story is continuing. There was an Instagram post from early this year teasing a return to the studio.

We are working on some new songs, yeah.

That’s big news because the most recent X studio record was Hey Zeus, back in ’93.

This music is a long time in the making, to say the least.

(Laughs) It’s been a minute. We found a guy we trusted who has done a bunch of recording and we went in this last January or February. Then we had to go on tour, then we came back and mixed some of it. Now we’re working on more of it and we’ll be back in the studio soon. I think we’re gonna put a single out pretty soon.

Now that you’re documenting the past of the scene and of X with these new releases, how does it feel to be recording new music at this point in your timeline?

You know, it was really rewarding that we went in the studio and it sounded just like X. You’ve played together in the studio and especially live for so long, it must be just instinctive at this point.

Well it wasn’t like riding a bicycle. There was one new song we worked on and it was a process. There was a bit of poking around.

But that’s good. If you go in there and you’re kinda afraid and it’s something you aren’t quite accustomed to, but you still go forward, then that’s good. I’m not one to constantly turn things upside down. I don’t agree with Brian Eno on that one. I don’t really go for that. I think you can experiment and find things without having to go, ‘Ok, everybody switch instruments!’ But that’s not how we work anyway. For me, it was just rewarding - at this late in the game - to go in there and challenge yourself and come out with something you’re proud for people to hear.

More Fun In The New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk is available at most major retail and independent booksellers.

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