|
By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour
|
Tit for Tacky (02.04.04)
What a great way to start of Black
History Month! I really wasn't ready! I mean, now
it's been shown all over the place on literally every
network and every newspaper worldwide. Everyone has
captured the essence of it in so many jokes (though I know
there are more to come) and I was even gonna entitle this
article "Titillating" though I knew it
would be taken the next day. All I know is that when it ha
 ppened,
I just wasn't ready, and it takes a lot to surprise me! Oh
well, at least it gives more visual detail to the one
Janet Jackson dream I had some years ago
(hey, some you just don't forget)! I must say that
Justin's street cred stock is significantly
up--right now he can do no wrong. Although I agree that it
wasn't the right move to make with all those families
watching, it's really funny how the FCC is
trippin' over the whole thing when they casually let the
whole Britney and Madonna kiss as well as
Bono (or even Nicole Richie for
the matter) get away with saying "F#%k" live on primetime
television, which is a FCC violation--what's up with the
double standard? Now it's gonna cost millions in fines
(when you add up the $275,000 fine per network affiliates of
CBS).You gotta give it to the Jacksons
though for knowing how to stimulate media
attention when they have new projects coming out just as
their popularity is waning at the time. Funny that white
boys are involved in both of their particular scandals,
which happen to be of a sexual nature. Someone tell me why
the parents of the boy in M.J.'s case aren't behind bars for
parental negligence for leaving their child overnight with
an alleged sex offender? But they knew that right? I mean,
is money so hard to come by these days to pimp your
child...oops! Am I going on a tangent again?
Maybe George W. should get
Cheney to pull his pants down during a GOP
rally to help get his ratings up (if not anything else)
 whoa!
(comedic drum hit please)
Moving right along...I do want to say that it
was a great game though I know Carolina fans
are hurt. Also, Beyonce' did
an excellent job (you could see she came straight from
church that day), although she did bite Whitney
Houston's version (check out the string arrangement
on Whitney's 1990 version if you have it). Either way,
Beyonce' actually topped Whitney...I have no jokes for her
for at least a week!
I also want to give a shout-out to C.J. Bland (CEO/Minority Professional Network) for allowing us along with www.PartyPromotions.com to take over his house for what was a great SuperBowl party. Oh, and to a certain lovely young
lady I met there, it was a pleasure making your
acquaintance...and to her girlfriend, thanks for lookin' out
for a brotha
"All right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right..." (my Andre "Ice Cold" 3000 impression)...let's move on to what's happening: Although this article comes out on Thursdays, this particular and new Wednesday event will be ongoing:
THURSDAY (02.05.04)
 "A
Wealth of Wisdom" book signing @ APEX Museum 6-8pm (FREE).
"Fifty extraordinary
Americans, aged 70 and above, some world-famous and others
known only in their communities, share the inspiring gift of
life lessons in A Wealth of Wisdom. With insight and
oftenwith humor, they document not only how they survived,
overcome and coped with the most formidable obstacles, but
also how they thrived and have ultimately triumphed.
Compiled by producer and educator Dr. Camille O.
Cosby and Emmy-winning broadcast
journalist/documentary filmmaker Renee Poussaint
and featuring portraits by famed photographer
Howard Bingham, A Wealth of Wisdom provides
powerful voices of guidance for challenging times,
especially for young people in search of hope, direction and
meaning." Go to: http://www.apex museum.org/calendar.htm for more info. Oh, the "30% off" thing refers to it's sale on www.Amazon.com.
THURSDAY (02.05.04) "PHILLIPPIA
Unplugged" @ Apache Cafe' (www.apachecafe.info).
I believe it's $10/advance - $12/door, but this also will be
a live recording for her next album so you
might want to make sure you get tickets and be a part of
this experience!
THURS. thru SUN. (02.05 to 02.08) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre @ The Fox (www.ticketmaster.com) Most shows are already sold out so you need to hurry because it is a wonderful show and worthy of all the hype! Tickets start at around $40, but it's well worth it! FRIDAY (02.06.04) "Soul Sista's Juke Joint: Men of Soul" @ Endenu. A special edition of the monthly all-female artist showcase, this time featuring talented underground male artists. Go to www.soulsistasjukejoint.com for details. $10/advance at Vantage Point Studios.
SATURDAY (02.07.04) SESSION SATURDAYS
@ Tarrazu Coffeebar. If you
missed last week, you simply missed it! What more can I
say, because you'll never know what to expect like last week
when we had our first female musician, bass player
Donna Hairston, sit in with the band.
Me'shell Ndegeocello has nothin' on Donna's
playing skills!
SATURDAY (02.07.04) THE 1st ANNUAL
2003 Underground Awards @ The Abbey/163 Ponce de Leon Ave.
For all of you who want to
see your favorite artists, party promoters, and other local
underground movers & shakers up for award nominations, this
is the spot to be! $10/door and starts at 9pm.
SUNDAY (02.08.04) First Word @ Apache
Cafe'. Spoken word for poets
under 21 years of age (i.e. no profanity/R-rated
commentary), hosted by Cocktails of Live Poets Society.
Featuring DJ Clear and Masevo. Starts at 2pm,
and $5/door (www.33third.com)
SUNDAY (02.08.04) Original Jazz Night
featuring Tammy Allen @ Churchill Grounds.
Also featuring Daniel Adam Johnson, Adams Township. This is
for jazz artists who will be showcasing their original
compositions--a great concept. Starts at 9pm & $5/door.
Also on Sunday...
THE 46th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS on (you
guessed it) the new Censoring Broadcasting Syndicate...You
see, as it stands, CBS isn't trying to get
played again by any artists who could very well set-off
another controversial occurrence, so the network
is developing software, as I write, to broadcast the show in
delay, giving the censors who edit the feed enough time to
make cuts or adjustments should anything occur. Think of it
as TiVo in reverse where the station rewinds, edits, and
broadcasts (simultaneously) a cut & paste version that they
feel is suitable for you to see. Although that takes the
fun out of the unexpected, CBS could very well face up to $6
million in fines from the FCC (those hypocritical haters
 ).
There's also the talk that CBS may request Janet
and Justin be banned from the Grammys if
the investigation shows that they had full intention to do
what they did--whatever! Janet is slated to be a presenter
and Justin has 5 nominations...yeah, you feel me?! From the
Super Bowl to the "Super Bowl" of music award shows--CBS is
runnin' thangs right now! Ratings people...it's all about
ratings!! Invest in CBS and affiliates if you buy or trade
stock. By the way, if you want to see the
full list of nominees, click here:
http://grammy.com/awards/grammy/46noms.aspx
Anyway, with all the money CBS made from the
Super Bowl commercial spots bought throughout the telecast,
and especially during half-time, $6 million is a drop in the
bucket!!! Oh, and it's a tie between the two
Budweiser commercials: The Dogs fetching a
Bud Light and
The Gaseous Horse--freakin' hilarious!!!
  TIME'S
UP/FINAL THOUGHT!
Well, it's
been real folks but I'm tired of tying so it's a wrap on
this week's article. Of course, with so much going on next
weekend--all focus on the God-forsaken St. Valentine's Day
 / Weekend,
I'll need as much energy as I can!
However, for
those of you who have anyone in particular that you're
feeling but don't have quite the nerve to say what you
really want to say, or you just may not know how to reach
them and they just might happen to be an ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
subscriber, then I'm gonna play "Cupid" and actually post
some of your thoughts of love, lust, or infatuation to
whomever you're feeling right now, here on this page in time
for next week article and Valentine's Day weekend! (I may
regret this but, what the hell)!
Please limit
your confessions of love, adoration, or simple crushes to
150 words or less, and I don't have the time or the desire
to edit so please use spell check! Profanity and other
sexually obscene language ain't passin' by me so don't
bother if you gonna. I'll only use first names to protect
yours and the other person's identity, but just make it so
that they'll know it's about them. Other than that...good
luck!
|
!!!
peace2ya!
If you want up-to-date info on anything else, just e-mail me and I'll holla back as soon as I can.
peace2ya,
Ahmed
The views in this article are not necessarily the expressed views of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM or it's affiliates.
Ahmed Sirour writes a weekly journal for ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
Ahmed Sirour is a Georgia Regional Representative for Hidden Beach Recordings
SESSIONS SATURDAYS at Tarrazu Coffeebar
Join us every Saturday
Time: 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)
SUDARABAJAN Productions present...
"SESSIONS 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
|
|
||||
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
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 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.
www.authorsden.com/ahmedasirour
 |
Please Read Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Powered
by:
|
