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By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour
I’ve had one of the most memorable 4th of July weekends I can think of, this past weekend. Although enjoyable as it always is, it wasn’t playing with the band at this month’s [4th of July edition of] Soul Sista’s Juke Joint at Apache Café, but I will have to say that poet, Sunshyne, vocalist, Carla Gomez, and vocalist, Sahra’ each gave excellent performances that were inspiring and spiritual all at once! I am never short of experiencing amazement at the spirit of unity and empowerment (along with talent) that these women exert and represent each month! But again…that wasn’t what really made this year standout. The following day, July 5th, is going to stick in my mind for a long time to come. That day marked my [maternal] grandparent’s, Neville and Sybil Leacock, 50th Wedding Anniversary that a number of my immediate and extended relatives, as well as family friends, flew or drove to attend. It was a very elegant “black tie” affair held in the private room of the Brio Tuscan Grille on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. First, I was simply glad to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends I haven’t seen in a while, but then just the significance of how long they’ve been together really clicked as I listened to children (my mother, aunts, and uncles) give their thoughts about how wonderful their parents are and how they truly admired their commitment to each other and the values that they instilled and passed on to them that they are instilling in their own families. My mother, especially, said something very striking that I have kept in my mind even to this point. The thing my mother mentioned was the fact that my grandfather and grandmother were best friends, sometimes up early in the morning talking about various things, or laughing about something, but always communicating. She brought up the fact that they were there for her when she had to rear me and my younger sister as a single mother, and I also mentioned to everyone that it was my grandfather who was a father to me in place of my biological one. They also served as a prototype, for me, of what to look for in a successful marriage. Interestingly enough, it was music that brought them together when they first met in a church choir they belonged to back in 1951. Two years later they exchanged vows and joined in holy matrimony, and 50 years later, with five children and six grandchildren (the oldest grandchild born on his grandmother’s birthday and author of this article), we celebrated something that many people don’t get to given this day and age when divorce rates are higher than ever. Oh yeah…my band played for the event, so I guess that gives this portion of the article some credence towards “entertainment”, huh? Actually, the manager overheard us playing and asked if we were available for booking for something new they were considering at their establishment—God’s a trip! LOL
ABSOLUT
Vodka
is holding a contest for the best Jazz vocalist (s), band,
instrumentalists in the city of Atlanta, with the winner taking home
$5000! That’s it.
There will be a kick-off concert on July 14th, at
Vinyl (1374 West Peachtree Rd.) featuring recording Motown recording
artist, Kem. The
actual competitions begin Monday, July 21st and continue
every Monday till August 4th.
Basically, the 21st is the opening
competition, the 28th is the semi-final, and the 4th
is the final round...got it?
So
what do you need to do to enter? Well, this is an open competition
and you will be chosen based on the availability of open slots left in
which to enter yourself and compete (i.e. first come/first served
scenario). I will warn, however, that those with their "A
material" need only apply, as this is not some average
"amateur night", and you DO NOT want to embarrass yourself--LOL!
No, seriously. If you're still interested, you must call the
following number:
1-800-551-2587
Just
follow the telephone prompts and you'll be on your way from there...and
if you are fortunate, you'll be $5000 better off! So there you
have it! Good *luck (*luck is when "preparation
meets opportunity").
THIS
WEEK'S LINEUP...
Thursday
is going to be on fire with
Friday,
the incomparable Rachelle Ferrell will grace the stage at The Variety
Playhouse with TWO shows...the first @7:30pm and the
other @10:30pm ($27.50 in advance and $35 at the door, so visit www.ticketmaster.com
to grab your tix and for more info); and in what seems to be some
healthy competition, a new all-female show finds its launch
interestingly enough at Apache Cafe' called "She's Gotta
Have It" (the title of Spike's first film), featuring
Doria Roberts & Christine Horn, and hosted by Nikki Wade (doors
@10pm/show @11pm/$10 cover)...
Saturday
is so loaded with things to do that I'm just going to list them and you
decide (and yes, I know I've got some major competition this
weekend but I have to be unbiased and keep you all in the know,
right?)...
CD(s)
of the Week: JUST FOR YOU* (3-disc box set) &
Looking
like a bootleg version of "Dougie Fresh and the Get Fresh
Crew", Diamond Lounge Creative & Sol Fusion
celebrate their "one year anniversary" and
"appreciation party", respectively, this Wednesday
at Dragonfly @9pm (no cover all night)! They'll b e playing all of your
favorite classics circa 1988-92! All love to y'all...and you get
nostalgia points for that photo! LOL
at The
Cotton Club, kicking off @7pm and FREE to the public! We're
talking Inobe (whom you may have caught on "Good
Day Atlanta" and/or at live at Tower Records two weeks ago), Yewande
who's featured on our "Soulfulhapps" page and rocked Apache
Cafe' some months ago to standing ovation, Jill Rock Jones
who is one of the most phenomenal rock/soul artists in the country that
Atlanta is SO fortunate to have (for the time being), and one of my
favorite bands who bring it like no one else I've ever seen...period--Freestyle
Nation! < /STRONG>This is an ALL-STAR lineup...for FREE! I
shall say no more...
1) "Strip Poetry" (not what it sounds like,
if there are any freaks out there) at Apache Cafe' (7pm-12am)...
2) "Old School Saturdays" at Park Tavern
(doors @10pm/free before 11pm)...
3) "Sensual Saturdays" at Tarrazu Coffeebar
featuring THE FORMULA with this week's guest
vocalist, Carla Gomez (music begins 9pm-12am/no
cover...but don't just keep the seats warm...hav e dinner,
dessert, or a drink...or all of the above)...and of course...
4) Erykah Badu with special guest Big Gipp at
The Tabernacle (doors @8pm/tickets are $46)...
BARRY WHITE: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION (2-disc)** by Barry White
Release dates: 11/17/92* and 04/25/2000** (Mercury)
I
would truly be remiss if I didn't pay my respects in this small tribute.
I really couldn't decide which album to post given they both
contained many of the same classics, though the first one is more
complete with his older repertoire and the later one with more of his recent work, but I am
sure there will be one more (at the very least) final and updated
version to capture the artistic life of one of the smoothest, sexiest,
and most recognized male voices that has ever been recorded.
Before Luther Vandross became a household name, Barry White
was THE aphrodisiac to any romantic moment you wanted to create!
Though I wasn't even thought of when Barry hit it big, his lasting
quality ensured that generations to follow, including mine, would not go
unnoticed and unaffected by his work, and consequently...it STILL
gets results! The Love Unlimited Orchestra has got to be one of
the coolest and most ingenious concepts that he brought into
R&B and Pop music during the mid-70s (amidst the synthesized
sounds which were in vogue at the time), which I certainly believe, as
others concede, was the launching pad for the Disco era. Look at
how many Hip-hop and current "R&B" artists sample Barry
nowadays, and you see the transient effect that his compositions have
inspired without his famous vocals, which just goes to show how complete
he was as a songwriter, composer, conductor, and finally vocalist--a
musical genius! We've lost another icon, and at the young age of
58, but we'll never be without the essence of Barry White for
generations to come..."love never fails."
ADDITIONAL NEWS...
As
if Barry's passing wasn't enough, the music world has suffered another
loss in the form of versatile jazz flutist, Herbie Mann,
who finally succumbed to prostate cancer last Tuesday at age 73.
Herbie was one of the key musicians that brought the Bossa Nova craze
over to America in the 60s and helped Antonio Carlos Jobim
(the famed Brazilian guitarist/vocalist credited for the creation of
Bossa Nova) become a big name in America. A true fusionist, he
traveled all over South America, Europe, and Africa, in constant search
of new ways to incorporate world music into jazz. To learn more
about Herbie Mann, visit his website at www.herbiemannmusic.com.
The
brutally honest (or is he honestly brutal) Simon Cowell
of the hit series, "American Idol" got
himself a new three-year deal with the Fox Broadcasting
Company to stay on with the show as a judge, and should make him a
fat $150,000 per episode, as well as develop new projects for the
network. Funny how we clown Simon about being so mean, but I
haven't heard anything close to similar in offers (let alone hearing
about ANY offers) to co-judges Randy Jackson and Paula
Abdul...by the way, is it just me or do any of you have a
problem with Paula as a judge and she can't even sing worth a %@*#
...I'm sorry, I digress.
New record label notices...Lenny Kravitz has created Roxie Records, in honor of his late mother, actress Roxie Roker, which will be distributed through Warner Bros. Records. As far as new projects, he'll still be on Virgin with his new album "Funk" coming out this Fall...and Raphael Saadiq (from Tony Toni Tone) has an indie label called Pookie Entertainment and those with soul and/or hip-hop flava looking for an opportunity can send demo packages to: Pookie Entertainment/4850 Vineland Ave./#241/N. Hollywood, CA 91601
Get
it straight people, Kobe Bryant was arrested but not
formally charged of sexual assault. What's shady is that the Eagle
Co. sheriff's office (Denver, Colorado) requested a warrant from a judge
instead of the proper procedure of requesting it from the D.A.'s office,
citing that, "they had found enough evidence for the felony sexual
assault count." In other words although the police can arrest
based on suspicion of a crime they cannot file charges, which only
the district attorney can do...but they went over the DA's head and
created this madness. I'm not saying the kid is innocent o r not
(I wasn't there) but when you're as big as Kobe, how unbiased is
"due process" really gonna be?!!
On the local tip, the National Black Arts Festival is coming up next week, beginning on the 18th through the 27th so check out www.nbaf.org to get a head start on when and where you want to be during the festival happenings! Also, if you always dreamed about being in the Olympics but realistically want to try something on a local level for amateurs, The Georgia Games kicks off Friday, July 11th through Sunday, July 20th throughout Atlanta. There are 55 sports to choose from and this is for amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels. If interested, call 770.528.3580 for more info or visit www.georgiagames.org.
_____________________
You're the only you that will ever exist in this world, so don't
waste your life being something that you aren't and miss out on being
the only you the world will ever know.
peace2ya!
--
ahmed@atlantahapps.com
The views in this article are not necessarily the
expressed views of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM or it's affiliates.
ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
Ahmed Sirour writes a weekly journal for ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
Ahmed Sirour is a Georgia Regional Representative for Hidden Beach
Recordings
-- Archive
If you’re looking for a new spot to kick back and chill, meet up with old friends (or new ones), a place to unwind and network after work with young urban professionals, someplace to commune after a jazz/r&b concert, movie, or a night of theatre, a cozy place to kick it with your sweetheart, or a place to flirt and engage in seductive conversations with beautiful strangers, then I highly recommend Midtown’s newest place to be and be seen…
Tarrazu Coffee Bar! Only some months up & running, Tarrazu has already begun hosting a number of functions and has served as a sanctuary for the "buppie" and "yuppie" crowds. Named after a mountainous region of South America famous for some of the world’s best coffee, Tarrazu can match Café Intermezzo with its diverse offerings of decadent beverages and treats while separating itself from comparison with a smaller more intimate setting—I would especially recommend this as an ideal spot for your private party needs (be a "baller" and rent it out for the night like Boris did for Sanaa in "Brown Sugar"—LOL).
Located at 265 Ponce de Leon Avenue (around the corner from Old Spaghetti Factory and right next door to MF Sushi Bar), Tarrazu takes centerstage with its eye-catching terrace and black awning…and then you walk in! I’m no interior decoration expert, but with beautiful hardwood floors, artistic lighting, assorted candles throughout the establishment, very cool, classy, and comfortable dinner/lounge furniture, very clean bathrooms (hey, ya know), ambient table settings, great food, coffees, and desserts, and a great wait-staff…what more could you possibly ask for?! How about "live" music on Thursdays and Fridays (sometimes, Saturdays)? Did I mention this is a solely Black-owned establishment, run by partners Nathan Horne, Robert Beckham, and Terrance Gattis? Did you know they are even preparing the groundwork for yet another location in Phipps Plaza? Did you know that entire block (from MS Sushi Bar to Nancy’s Deli) is Black-owned? Did you know that they play Hidden Beach music on a regular ;) ? Did you want me to give you anymore reasons to go there or are you wise enough to act on my suggestions with any more cajoling?
Tarrazu Owners and ATLANTAHAPPS.COM subscribers
Robert Beckham (left), Ahmed and Nathan Horne
SENSUAL SATURDAYS at Tarrazu Coffeebar
Date: Join us on Saturday, July12, 2003
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-12pm (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!
Contact info:
Ahmed @770.374.3537
Visit their website for upcoming events, lunch specials, and a preview
of their dinner menu at:
www.tarrazucoffeebar.com. Tell them Ahmed sent you…no, you won’t get
any discount on your dinner check, but it just sounds like a cool thing
to say—LOL! Seriously though, I might make a deal with them about
discounts if you do mention you heard about them from this article! Or,
maybe a free CD sampler from Hidden Beach (while supplies last). 
Ahmed Sirour - Eclectic. 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
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