:: If an event isn't on ATLANTAHAPPS.COM, it's not happening ::

Entertainment

By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour

REPRESENT YOUR HOOD! (03.17.04)

I looked back at last week's article and could feel the energy coming out of my words, jumping right off the screen! It's a reminder that I must always be mindful of the power words carry, though I don't take back anything I said, mind you. It was funny to get a few "amens" as well as other testimonies from the men, and some women who hesitantly agreed though adding some of their own insight and views to expand the topic--'preciate all of you. Anyway, when all's been said (for the time being), ya gotta move on...so let's do so!

Now, I have a question I want to throw out to my out-of-town readers...what are the hot spots in your city? From those of you who communicated with me from places like Philly, L.A., Columbia (S.C.), Toronto, and many other cities, I'd really appreciate if I could get a native's point-of-view about the places to go that your local tourist sites or bureaus either don't know or don't tell about. Sad to say, but many of these companies focus their attention towards Caucasian visitors, and that's not to say that this site is EXCLUSIVELY for African-Americans and that we are relegated to or interested in solely "Black-oriented" events or venues (i.e. I thoroughly enjoyed going to The Fox Theatre last week to see the Moscow Ballet Company's interpretation of the French ballet "Giselle"...and I already knew the story before seeing it), but they leave out a lot of spots that I have to basically just accidentally bump into or ask random people to find out about it.

Anyway, I would really like for readers from major and smaller cities to give us ATLiens a taste of what to expect and look for should we happen to fall through, as Al Roker puts it, "your neck of the woods." I'm talking about the best restaurants to hit up (omnivores and vegans, alike), the best clubs, the best venues for events, the best open mics/jam sessions (my personal favorites), the best local links to these spots (i.e. for those native to my NY or planning to travel there, you should hit up www.allnightclubs.com), and even those spots that no one but a select few know about that are hidden away Utopias! I'll post your info so Atlanta can be up on what's hot in your city. Also, for those who live in Atlanta and travel on a regular basis because of business, or for leisure, let your peeps know what you know about the spots you frequent when you skip town on an excursion, ah-ite?!

Okay, well here's whassup in our "neck of the woods" (and notice I made a concerted effort to get you all the way to next Wednesday) ...

THURSDAY (03.18.04)

The "Jazz at Lincoln Center" presents The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra @ The Variety Playhouse (http://www.variety-playhouse.com/schedule.html#afrolatin)

"Led by pianist Arturo O'Farrill, the acclaimed Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra is comprised of 18 prominent soloists from the Latin Jazz scene. Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, urged O'Farrill to create the ALJO to continue the innovations of musicians like Mario Bauza, Machito, and O'Farrill's father, the late Chico O'Farrill. "The ALJO," Wynton noted, "is filling a great void on the New York cultural scene, performing the classics of the Afro-Latin jazz tradition, commissioning new works and playing dances. This band is firmly connected with the essence of Latin jazz. They have great soloists and first-class ensemble playing."

FRIDAY (03.19.04)

@ Insomnia
(5920 Roswell Rd NE 404.257.0160)
presented by ATLANTAHAPPS.COM

"Sorority and Fraternity Night in the ATL, with Hot 107.9 Morning Show host Ryan Cameron and Derrick Hayes FlirtingTime returns with Motivational Speaker Derrick Hayes.

We are inviting all Greek graduates to come out and get your Flirt on!

Music by Hot 107.9 DJ Mami Chula.

*All Men admitted free til 8:30p.m.

*Complimentary parking for the ladies!

*$2 dollar Martini's and $2 Wine from 8:00p.m. til 10:00p.m.

This seminar & FLIRT will be an up close and personal, live and uncensored, provocative no holds barred discussion from single and successful brothers.

Our author Derrick Hayes, along with our resident Psychologist Dr. Cherry Collier PhD, will have answers, followed by a FlirtingTime.com Soiree and afterparty! www.atlantahapps.com/newsletter.htm for more info!

then...

If you're unfamiliar with Jiva and you claim to be a part of Atlanta's underground movement (especially circa. 1994 and up when India.Arie and Donnie were just the "local talent") then you've been frontin' for a decade...and it should stop right now! You can make up for it by checking this show out! My man Khari Simmons (music director of Jiva and bass player for India.Arie. Actually, he's a huge part of the reason why she's even where she's at now), is gonna do his thing so it's about to be the old Yin Yang Cafe' all over again!

Show's @9pm/$10 cover

SATURDAY (03.20.04)

Go to: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/114689/ for tickets and info.

then...

Who: Artists From All Genres

What: 4 the LOVE of art
         spring Equinox event

When: Saturday, March 20, 2004
         from 5:30 to 9:00 pm
Where: The Five Spot,
           Little Five Points,
           1123 Euclid Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30307

Go to www.4theloveofart.com for more info

then...

celebrates 10 years of putting Atlanta's cultural scene consistenly on the world map! Starts at 10pm @ the spot that Funk Jazz Kafe' really belongs...The Tabernacle! Here's the math: $25/advance purchase; $30/day of event; $22/with donation of a non-perishable food donation ONLY at EarWax Records (565 Spring St./404.875.5600) www.funkjazzkafe.com

SUNDAY (03.21.04)

Go to: www.stagedoorplayers.com

I know one of the singers and he is ON POINT! So catch it while it's here!

MONDAY (03.22.04)

TUESDAY (03.23.04)

WEDNESDAY (03.24.04)

I know my boy, Al Smith, might be lookin' crazy in this photo, but he is the mastermind (business-wise and keyboard skills) behind the best vocal and instrumental jam sessions in the ENTIRE city of Atlanta! Yup...all of you who hear, after the fact, that artists including Dione Farris, Joi, Erykah Badu, Rachelle Ferrell, Lil' G (from SILK), Bone Crusher, Maysa Leaks, India.Arie, Donnie, Mike Phillips, and many others have dropped in and done surprise performances/appearances at Apache Cafe' on Wednesdays, along with some of the best local talent and future stars, and you STILL haven't come through (and you had the time/money/energy to do so)...y'all IG-NANT! If you're a musician looking to jam with some of the world's coldest musicians, this is the spot! If you're from out of town and you know about spots like Nuyorican Cafe' (NY), or Temple Bar (LA), or the former Red Cat Cafe' (Houston), or Tonic (Charlotte), or Black Lilly (Philly)...then this is the ATL's equivalent for your live music needs! Ahmed has spoken... Go to: www.apachecafe.info or www.ambianceproductions.net.

That's my time so have fun and be safe this weekend/week!

Oh, if you have any photos you'd like to have posted from any event you attended or a good spot to check out, send them to me (med. to small JPEG files or HTML links only) and I'll post them for the rest of our readers to see--out-of-town readers are also welcome to submit so Atlanta can see what your city has to holla about!

ahmed@atlantahapps.com

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

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	It ain't over	survivor
Stuff on my mind

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.