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Entertainment

By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour

AND WE’RE OFF… (01.07.04)

Okay, my “New Year philosophies” of last week aside—let the fun begin! Contrary to what was once popularly believed, there are probably as many women Super Bowl fanatics as there are men, so there will be no chauvinistic mentions of Super Bowl “alternatives” for women. Hell, even if some of you don’t particularly care for this event, you know the best way to a man’s heart (besides his stomach) is your encouraging his interests in sports! But a warning to those (men and women, alike) not interested but want to hang on February 1^st…Please DO NOT talk to us during the game if it has NOTHING to do with the game, OR if a major play is unfolding at that moment (‘cause our attention is not focused on any one person in the room at that time anyway), and please understand that half-time will only guarantee you up to 5 minutes of our full attention before it gets taken away by discussions about previous plays and predictions for the second half with our friends (or foes, depending on who they’re rooting for)! Oh, and the pleasure of rating/enjoying the half-time show and the hilarious million-dollar commercials that advertisers plan all year for! I know it’s a few weeks ahead of schedule to mention all this, but this especially goes out to my non-sportive friends (again, male and female) who love to socialize and just be at a party for the party’s sake! By the way, here’s at least one local Super Bowl event I’ve come across:

Also, if you’ve seen and enjoyed the movie, “Drumline”, then you probably want to mark January 24^th on your calendar for the Honda Battle of the Bands 2004 Invitational Showcase that will be at the Georgia Dome (incidentally the very same stadium in which the movie was filmed for the “Battle of the Bands” sequence). It’s $10 for general seating and starts at 3pm, featuring the best bands from some of the nation’s top HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities)…I just hope Clark Atlanta represents!

A little closer to this week on Saturday the 10^th is LunarSol II: "Bitches Brew" (coincidentally the name of a famous Miles Davis album, in case some of you are caught by surprise).The featured artists are ATL-natives emcee/bassist extraordinaire Divinity & Rock/Soul diva Jill Rock Jones at Apache Café. I know this is gonna be one HOT show ‘cause these ladies are the best at what they do! If I wasn’t performing that night at Tarrazu, I’d be there in a heartbeat, but I definitely encourage you all to check it out, THEN come to Tarrazu for The Formula (yes, shameless plugs will abound)! It starts at 8pm and the cover is a meager $10—well worth it! Presented by Saffyre Entertainment.

As for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events, there are a number of them listed on the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau website… specifically at this link: http://www.atlanta.net/mlk/mlkCalendar.asp. I’ll save my comments about Dr. King’s legacy for next week.Conscious man as I strive to be, you know I have to touch on why the media gets “stuck” on 1963’s “I Have a Dream” speech and then fast-forwards 5 years later to his assassination in 1968, leaving an immense amount of information between those time periods where Dr. King became a broader radical for the cause of poor people of all races, the divestment of America’s troops out of the senseless Viet Nam War, and he and Malcolm X finally finding a common ground towards the socio-economic advancement of their race…but hey, this is just an Entertainment Page, right? Didn’t mean to go off on a tangent!

Last thing…I’d really like to get some feedback from some of you about what you think about these articles and what you’d like to have included? Plus, if you are a newcomer/visitor in the city and have any questions about the social scene in the ATL, I’ll post and address your questions for the benefit of our online readers, because there are things I may be able to clue you in on. I don’t want to be esoteric with the knowledge I have, so feel free and hit me back. As for the rest of this week—MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YA…

peace2ya!

P.S.—We got some very cool things in store for you so you may want to bookmark this page as well as forward it to your friends…Feel free to e-mail me at: ahmed@atlantahapps.com

The views in this article are not necessarily the expressed views of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM or it's affiliates.

SENSUAL SATURDAYS at Tarrazu Coffeebar

Join us every Saturday
Time: 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

SUDARABAJAN Productions present...

"SENSUAL SATURDAYS"
(as a part of Tarrazu's Liquid Jazz Series)

Featuring a three-piece (keys/drums/bass) neo-jazz band,

THE FORMULA

Enjoy a sensual atmosphere of candlelight's, chill conversations, cool sounds,and good food as you leave the stress of the work week behind you. As an extra treat, each week will feature a different up-and-coming vocalist to sit in with the band and grace the mike, for your listening pleasure. The dinner and dessert menu is definitely for the discriminating palate...and you won't need any reservations.

Time:
9pm-12am (NO COVER!)

Address:
265 Ponce De Leon Avenue (around the corner
from Old Spaghetti Factory)
Suite D
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.815.2077

Dress:
Comfortably Fly!

Ahmed Sirour writes a weekly journal for ATLANTAHAPPS.COM

Ahmed Sirour is a Georgia Regional Representative for Hidden Beach Recordings

-- Archive

A special interview with Rachelle Ferrell

Gotta Make Moves	The Absolut Show	You Want More	A Weekend to Remember	Off Notes
Changing Seasons	Just Getting Started	Non-Stop Action	Ideas to Flirt With	Pursuing Purpose
Will Play For Food	Lasting Power	Rebound	For The Love Of Music	PURSUING PURPOSE (Pt. II)
ABSOLUT-LY OVER!!	A Weekend to Remember	The Absolut Show Round 3	Absolut Show - Round 2	The Lina Interview
Chicago on my mind	a Rule talks about beef with 50 Cent	Die Empty	Giving Back	Tis the Season
Life's Purpose

Ahmed Sirour -A Product of a Sudanese-Arab (Muslim) father and a Bajan-Caribbean (Christian) mother. Ahmed was a "diamond in the rough" hewn from Brooklyn, now undergoing "polishing and re-cutting" in Atlanta. This serves as a premise to his diverse nature that comes from a diverse background. His poetic style is influenced by his love of music...specifically, jazz improvisation. He sometimes uses a rhyme form he calls "Broken Word"; basically, the rhyme scheme alternates between words and phrases but with a definite flow just like a jazz jam session where the art of freestyle takes place. Although it would seem that hip-hop, another of his influences, would seem to be a more apt description of his style, it is the marriage of youthful innovation paired with classic refinement. He is also moved by the Harlem Renaissance, which he feels is resurfacing, in spirit, throughout many major metropolitan cities, especially Atlanta. More importantly, he is moved by his belief in spirituality, believing that he is merely a vessel of God to bring forth the talent that he feels he has been blessed with.

Ahmed's goal, this year, to finally publish his first collection of work entitled, "This Would Be A Love Song...If Only I Could Sing"; a collection of poetry, essays, and short stories based on his life's experiences in the area of love and life. Ahmed is also a musician (keyboardist) and plays for and with many talented artists in Atlanta (and those who travel through the city from abroad). He currently represents for Hidden Beach Recordings (www.hiddenbeach.com), so he keeps one foot in the business and one foot (and two hands) in the art, itself. It is his hope and prayer that beyond enjoying his work, that people are actually moved, emotionally/intellectually/spiritually, by the words they read, and to know that this is merely a power that is coming through him and not from him.

SOULFUL HAPPS - A SPOTLIGHT ON URBAN MUSIC & CULTURE

Imagine for a moment if Marvin were still alive and able to record with the Roots... Or what about Pete Rock breaking-off a track for Minnie Ripperton or Donnie Hathaway. What kind of energy would these collaborations create??? The answer is found in a new Soul Music Series entitled SOULFUL HAPPS, and it's unlike anything you've ever heard. This section features artists who produce the sounds of 70's Soul, Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, and Rare Grooves appreciated by music lovers around the Atlanta area. But it's more than a sound... It's a feeling... bringing the past and the future together in a rather unique way. Click here for details

WHAT THEY ARE SAYIN...

Mr.Sirour,

I live in LA and was recently in your wonderful city and love reading you're column, Very nice. Miles...

Mr.Sirour,

I would like to begin by saying I enjoy your weekly "HAPPS" commentary. I look forward to it every Monday evening when I have down time at work. I appreciate you keeping us 'Atliens' abreast of the goings of Atlanta and upcoming music artists. Please keep doing what you are doing!

Mr.Sirour,

Now, I would like to comment briefly on your commentary for this week. Kudos to you for being honest and candid! How refreshing to hear such positive and thought provoking thoughts. I agree with you in so many ways. Just as a smile can be contagious, so can positivity.

P.S-- I saw the plug on your site for the Tarrazu Coffee Bar. It sounds like a great place. I will be trying it out this week.

Thank You,

Brettina Burney

I feel you 100% when you stated you feel a shift in the wind of this industry. I have been told by enough shallow producers to change my singing style to sound like this one or that. I was fed up of hearing this over and over so I took out my keyboards and produced myself. I am looking for people with a true vision of taking real music into the future to either assist me in promotions and possibly management. If you get a minute check me out at www.zuudiakusentertainment.com . Keep doing what you do, I will too.

Peace

Jas Tunica El

KATHLEEN BERTRAND

Visit the Website http://www.kathleenbertrand.com

Subscriber Kathleen Bertrand, her riveting performances combine contemporary R&B grooves with jazz riffs that keep audiences wanting for more...

No Regrets sets an elegant new standard for contemporary soul, and Kathleen Bertrand brings an inspiring new voice to the world of music. Look for future features on this dynamic singer in future ATLANTAHAPPS listings.

Ahmed -- Recently I read your column for "ATLANTAHAPPS.COM" As I was reading, I kept trying to listen to this very haunting melody that was playing in the background...and then finally I had to stop reading and just listen. You generously praise so many artists in your column, but your gifts are special too. I look forward to hearing more from you. "Without You" is just beautiful - I could listen to it all day.

I also am a singer/songwriter here in Atlanta. Last year, I released my "No Regrets" CD. Your words about a change in the music industry are so true and great encouragement. Thank you and keep spreading the truth. God bless you!

Kathleen Bertrand

A Collection of Poetry, Essays, and Short Stories from the life of Ahmed Sirour. A new movement in poetry, descriptive essay writing, and innovative story-telling.

Ahmed writes the way a jazz musician plays during an improvisational jam session paired with the way a lyricist freestyles in hip-hop form. It is a marriage of the past and present that creates a fusion to set the tempo for the future. His writing surpasses his racial makeup and simply becomes a unique American story by a unique American writer.