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By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour
JUST
GETTING STARTED (07.15.03)
It was a pleasure to finally
meet some of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM subscribers (that I
haven’t already met) at Monday night’s kickoff event for the ABSOLUT
Jams Jazz Competition at Vinyl. Some of you were acting all
shy like I was going to bite y’all or something—LOL!
True, if I’m running around back and forth, like I was that
night, I am busy making sure everything is running as smoothly as
possible, but when I’m stationary…please feel free to say “hi”!
I write these articles with you in mind, although I get my little
bit of therapy to share my thoughts in the process.
I am by no means any celebrity or an elitist, though that’s
pretty obvious, so more of you can e-mail me and let me know what’s
on your mind, what’s good in your life, etc.
2) ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
3) Wyclef Jean
will be featured for this weekend’s “On the Bricks Concert Series”
at Centennial Park @6pm ($3).
SENSUAL SATURDAYS will be be moved up by one day due to a
private event pre-scheduled at Tarrazu on this Saturday, July 19th.
What that basically means is that we will be playing, at Tarrazu, on
SUNDAY, JULY 20th
from 9pm - 12am...JUST FOR THIS WEEK ONLY!!!
Opened: July 9th, 2003 (Walt Disney Pictures)
I don't normally find
the time to go to the movies, but last week, I somehow managed to,
thanks to a lovely young lady friend who suggested this venture.
This was the movie I saw and I definitely was impressed that Disney
would take a bolder approach to movie making (in other words, don't take
young children to this...OR TO ANY MOVIE PG-13 AND UP...SO
PLEASE FIND A BABY-SITTER OR TAKE THEM OUT INTO THE LOBBY SO THEY CAN
CRY)! Was that pent-up hostility I was releasing...please
forgive me. Anyway, Johnny Depp was hilarious and
*brilliant as pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (*everyone calls actors that
nowadays, huh?) and acted his butt of in this film! Orlando
Bloom (a.k.a. "the Justin
Timberlake elf" from The Lord of the Rings) did his thing
too as the "Errol Flynn wannabe" blacksmith who
finds out his family ties go deeper than what he had known as he joins
forces with the Depp to save the damsel in distress, Kim
Knightley (actually she was kickin' dudes @$$ at one point), and
battles the forces of evil (aka the Pirates) who, even as a lot of
extras, have the best and coolest special effects scenes throughout the
whole movie...definitely worth seeing if just for that! The only
problem I had with the movie was the ending that is driving me a little
crazy about a certain connection between Depp and Bloom's characters;
that, and the fact that they're only like 3 Black people
in a movie that has "Caribbean" in its
title, but hey...ya know!
Additional news…
This
one has a mix of interesting and simply ridiculous, but the NY Post
reported that patients of gynecologist, Dr. Janice Mark
are getting fed up with her because one of her client’s, a certain Mariah
Carey, demands that all appointments around the time of her visits
should be cancelled…and doc actually shuts down the office to
accommodate her! One
patient complained saying, “she’s not going to do it again.
It’s just too much.” I
wish I could hear some of the colorful comments you ladies will make
amongst each other after reading this—LOL!
In
the sports entertainment world, Shaquille O’Neil is getting
kinda cocky (surprised?) after getting shutdown by Sacramento, en
route to their second championship run, given the almost official,
though not yet official, inclusions of NBA All-Stars, Gary Payton
and Karl Malone to the Lakers franchise.
Shaq was quoted in Saturday’s edition of the New York
Times saying, “Last year, I had a couple tanks, a couple grenades.
Now I got atomic weapons. I'm going nuclear. I'm Colin Powell, and I can
drop the bomb any time I want to. I'm not going to talk about
Sacramento, because I've been hard on them in the past. But, San A
ntonio's window is shut. That's right, the Diesel is back.”
WHATEVER! Why does
every time he speaks, he looks and sounds like a Black version of “The
Hulk”?
Hey, if you know of anything news around town or
around the world relating to entertainment that you feel readers would
be interested in knowing, feel free to e-mail me at:
ahmed@atlantahapps.com.
And for the person (s) who added my e-mail address to a certain yahoo
group without my consent...don't do that again, just ask!
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
-- 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, July19, 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-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!
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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