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Entertainment

By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour

IT AIN'T OVER YET! (02.26.04)

I must say that my birthday was one of the more interesting and enjoyable ones I've had in recent memory. The beginning of it all was just an hour or so before midnight (Saturday) when my band was joined by three of the best saxophonists in the country (Bill Leary, Reggie Hines, and the phenomenal Mike Burton). The names may not sound very familiar to you but I can bet you they're on some of the CDs you have of various major artists. A very special thank you to a wonderful lady friend, Tamika, who completely surprised me by literally giving me an invitation to my own birthday (custom-printed and all), with an itinerary of where she'd be taking me throughout the entire day...and she did it just because she wanted to (the Creator has blessed me with a chosen few but great friends, I must say)! Another highlight was getting a surprise phone call from another new friend, Rachelle Ferrell, who I've kept in touch with since the interview, who sang "Happy Birthday" to me as only one of the baddest female vocalists/songwriters in the world could--damn I wish I could have taped that (thank you again)!

On a slight tangent, I must say, and quite humorously, during my birthday outtings I witnessed just how "ghetto" some White people can be. This is not meant to be offensive, and I can't see how it could be, but I equate "ghetto-ness" as any act that lacks tact/good-taste--and EVERYONE is prone to do such, aside from the stigma attached to African-Americans. We witnessed an Emory student dining with her family, who snuck in a bottle of Alize' in her purse, with the help of her mother, at The Flying Biscuit, and then the restaurant itself was playing funk music the whole time (which isn't ghetto but wasn't what I expected in a predominantly White area), and then later in the evening we see yet another White couple pouring wine into their glasses underneath the table at The Green Sprout, while the waiters weren't looking, or the father walking down the street with his seemingly 5 or 6-year-old daughter with a bunch of hot pink streaks in her hair! The dude with the locks--wow--wasn't working, bruh!

Anyway, I think I'm going to take Rachelle's advice and continue to celebrate my birthday for the next 30 days...but I'm also thinking about doing something special every 22nd day of each month (i.e. "27yrs. & 1mo.", 27yrs. & 2mos.", etc.)...why not, they count, too! Aside from that I also want to thank the few of you who personally sent me an e-mail to wish me "Happy Birthday", though you didn't have to--I really appreciate that!

Okay, so what's going on this week you ask:

THURSDAY (02.26.04)

Urban Film Review @ Georgia Pacific Building

"A single father trying to raise a young son in a rough-and-tumble Brooklyn neighborhood. Derek is having problems with his girlfriend Tasha, the mother of his child, and he's lost his job and is trying to find work; he hardly needs any more drama in his life, but that's what he gets when he runs into an old friend from school, Amour (Jamie Burton-Oare), and finds himself falling in love. Derek has to face a tough decision -- for the sake of his son, stick with a relationship that's not working, or take a chance on a new love that may or may not work out?"

7pm - 10pm RSVP to: atlanta@urbanfilmreview.com and hit: http://www.swats.com/ebroadcasts/ufr_02262004.htm

for directions.

VICTORY OVER VIOLENCE Benefit Party & Concert for victims of domestic abuse @Whiskey Peach/44 12th St./Midtown. Call 404.875.6338 for more info. Music by DJ Jamal Ahmed of WCLK 91.9FM

FRIDAY (02.27.04)

Sol Fusion @ Formosa www.sol-fusion.com RSVP: jcarter@sol-fusion.com

SATURDAY (02.28.04)

Crown Royal Comedy Fest @ Atlanta Civic Center

http://www.atlantaciviccenter.com/events/crownroyalcomedyfest.htm

for time and ticket info.

UNCF "Salute Apollo Jazz and Blues Legends" Concert @ Earthlink Live (benefitting the United Negro College Fund). http://www.earthlinklive.com/

THE FORMULA @ Tarrazu Coffeebar presenting "SESSION SATURDAYS" 9pm-Midnight every Saturday (we've always got something up our sleeves...especially the next two weeks...) www.tarrazucoffeebar.com

SUNDAY (02.09.04)

Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuff" presented by the Powell Entertainment Group at 2:00 PM and 7pm @ 14th Street Playhouse. Admission $20.

MONDAY (03.01.04)

Gary Payton & Friends Fashion Show (preview party for Spring lines of Sean John, Baby Phat, Phat Farm, RocaWear, Pelle Pelle, and more) @ Eleven50. Visit:

http://starshootersatl.com/gp2.html for Flash commercial with complete details.

In closing...this month has been quite exhilirating though there is still yet one more week left of it. If you haven't celebrated "Black History Month" in some way, find the time to do so! PBA has some great specials that you should tape, especially "Citizen King", which is airing again so check www.wpba.org for listings. I'm glad Justin Timberlake isn't hosting "Motown 45" just for the simple fact that there's been too much a double standard from a gender/racial perspective, and Janet has had to bow out of a lot of projects, so the balance of blame doesn't seem to have evened out. Also, I was disappointed that the original members of En Vogue couldn't agree on certain terms that would have given us the true "funky divas" as Dawn and Maxine opted out of the current project by the revamped En Vogue consisting of Cindy, Terry, and new member, Rhona-- why does this feel like an over-the-hill version of the whole Destiny's Child drama?

Well, "Soulflower" is already out in stores, so you be the judge, but like an old familiar song goes, "...ain't nothing like the real thing bay-beh...!"

Other than that, be good this week, have fun, be productive and...Live your purpose!

ahmed@atlantahapps.com

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

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	Ja Rule talks about beef with 50 Cent	Die Empty	Giving Back	Tis the Season
Life's Purpose	And We are off	A Dream Defferred	A special interview with Rachelle Ferrell	Super Weekend

Tit for Tacky	The Grammy Rocks the Love's Below	Click This

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.