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Entertainment

By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour

CAN'T STOP THE FLOW... (08.26.04)

Here we are, back again, another week and another chance to seek what's out there to do, what's new, what to find out more about. I don't know why I'm feeling so poetic, but I figured why not write in the aesthetic of words caught in angle of rhyme...well, for the time being, at least. Life's been a beast but I've continued to look for the beauty in it despite it all. It's getting close to Fall and I'm looking forward to the changing seasons of colors, leaves, and cooler air. Remember, I'm still from "up there" so cooler weather doesn't faze me as the Southern haze I'm ready to depart from. So, I suppose you all want some info on what's up this week, right? Well, it is my chosen duty to give you insight on the happs, so as your finger snaps to the beat of this free styled flow of which direction I have no idea where it will go, I'll drop you some options to consider to ease your mind away from a hard work week you may have had. Glad you could stop through, and so I'll use this as my cue to be through and spare you of any more of poetic lines I'm tryin' to spew and now drop you a clue or two to get you into Atlanta's entertainment milieu

THURS 08.26.04

Scribes and Vibes poetry hosted by Abyss and Cocktails of the Live Poets Society.

Irish Bred, Underground. List 8:30p, show 9p. www.livepoets.net

FRI 08.27.04

Comin' through the ATL on the heels of a newly-released album that dropped at the top of this month, Al Jarreau, one of the world's greatest male vocalists of modern times, and one of my personal favorites, comes to Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Show @ 8pm/Cover: $14 - $58. www.ticketmaster.com

FRI 08.27.04

J. Carter brings to you, yet again, another edition of Sol Fusion: The Intercontinental Lovefest @ Django's. Doors @ 8:30pm. RSVP to jcarter@sol-fusion.com for free admission before 10:30 PM. Drink specials between 8:30pm - 10:30pm. Free Parking on Juniper Street. DJ Kemit and DJ Jamad will be rockin' Hip-Hop, club classics, Reggae, Disco and Latin Soul on Level One, and Salah Ananse will be spinnin' House, Afro Beats, and soulful classics on Level Two. Live Henna art by John Smith. www.sol-fusion.com

SAT 08.28.04

It's the return of the woman I am fortunate to know personally, let alone admire musically! Rachelle Ferrell returns to the ATL ready to do her thing for the Lithonia Concert Series, with Angela Bofill opening the evening of beautiful music by two beautiful and talented women. Oh, and as an update on Rachelle's upcoming album, it has been pushed back, but that's a good thing because--and you'll probably only get the scoop here--it's slated to be a DOUBLE LIVE ALBUM from her recent concert dates around the country (sorry, Atlanta's show isn't included but I'm not complaining). Anyway, go to: www.lithoniaconcerts.com/lc_artists.html for the full details and ticket info.or all you all

you gamers out there, here's a chance to prove your skills while taking part in a great cause as well...

The SAF Madden Tournament Preliminaries 2004

For more information and registration click on: www.mollyguard.com/event/12849433

SUN 08.29.04

www.justrush.net

UPCOMING...

Musiq (09.02.04) www.ticketmaster.com (just $10...while tickets last!)

THE SHANNON ANDERSON FOUNDATION LABOR DAY WEEKEND (09.02.04 - 09.05.04) http://sayouth.org/home.htm

In closing...

I'd like to for those of you who keep up, or try to keep up, with these articles to send me an e-mail so I can send you a personal message within the following week. I'm not going to say for what reason or why until I get a response from you. It doesn't matter where you may be whether in Atlanta, the U.S., or the world, but I want to single out those who have been consistently visiting this page. If you do decide to e-mail me based on this message, I want you to identify yourself from the rest of the e-mails I get by putting, "So, what's up?" in the subect line of your message. That's it. Look forward to hearing back from some of you. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a milestone of a weekend (let's make a great one, though)!

peace2ya!

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 Deferred	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	Represent your hood	April Foolishness	MY STRANGE WORLD...Part XXVII	Just keep Moving
The Ying and the Yang	Industry Rule 4080	Back on Track	MILESTONES	Memorial Day Hangover
THE [right] FORMULA	CONFESSIONS/Pt. ??	Get Connected	Playing Catch Up/Finding Inner Strength	And Yet Another
MOVIN' ON...AND UP

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.