WHAT'S THE MORAL? (10.21.04) 

Hey peeps (special shout-out to Scorpios since it's your turn)...it's your friendly neighborhood Entertainment Editor back for another week after a rather interesting weekend. I was glad to see some of our subscribers at the Bale Folclorico da Bahia at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts to kickoff their 2004-05 season (go to the link below the photo for season highlights and show descriptions). I hope to have pictures up from the event real soon for you  to see but it does not compare to being there! It was such a beautiful, athletic, rhythmic, cultural, sensual, and just stunning performance that I hate that it had to end! True to carnival tradition, we took it to the downtown streets where audience members were led outside by the performers...and did we DANCE! Anyone passing by would have thought it was a block party (actually it was). I just hate that I missed the uncensored version of the performance the following evening (i.e. the women, I was told, were wearing next to nothing...that isn't sexist 'cause I had to endure watching the guys who were wearing much less than what you see in the above photo, so I'm just being fair in my assessment...but you ladies who were there probably had LOTS of fun)--LOL!  Please support the arts and make an effort to see at least one show in the series...this is a great date idea if you're single and want to make a great impression, or even if you're married and want to do something nice. Thank you to Kara Keene (Rialto Marketing Dir.) for the VIP treatment and allowing us to partake of the event and possibly cover more to come to bring to you our readers.

http://www.rialtocenter.org/rialtoseries/dance/details.htm#bale 

As for Funk Jazz Kafe'...if you did not attend this last one of the year, then you probably have heard many different versions about what did or did not occur. I got there pretty late, around 1:30am after Tarrazu, so I missed the usual dance set that DJ Kemit puts down in the main auditorium, as well as the market vendors, and the various rooms (i.e. Poetry, Hip-Hop, Massage, African drum, Interactive Art Wall, etc.), but I was there in time for the main stage performances. It started off with Donnie, who I haven't seen in a good minute, followed by rising star Van Hunt. After that point, some time went as the band kept playing, then two of my Apache Cafe fam from Wednesday nights popped up on stage and did a great job doing their original music--Atlanta locals Choir Boy, and Trina (from 3-5 Human) respectively. It was at this that I was sorta picking up that something was not going well; I had been tipped that Common as well as New Edition were supposed to be the surprise guests. Before you know it the band "took a break" followed by DJ Kemit spinning to keep the crowd moving...but then we he ended with "Closer" by Goapele but played the entire track to the end, including when the beat goes out, I realized the show was really done and it was close to 3am. Kemit confirmed my thoughts when he thanked everyone for coming out and that was it! People starting booing while others looked on in confusion. I'm neither excusing or disparaging FJK for whatever happened, 'cause this isn't typical so something went wrong at last minute that must have disrupted the flow of things. Hey, I just write the news I don't make it (at least not most of the time unless it has to do with my band). 

If the next one is in fact in February, you best believe they will be making up for whatever occurred this go round, so we shall see. Still, check out the photos from FJK at: http://vipphotos.net/gallery/funkjazz10162004 

 

As for upcoming events, I'm still bothered by the fact that this upcoming Kool Nu Jazz Festival is being sponsored by a cigarette company, and then the catch is that they are spotlighting some of my all-favorite artists...oh, the moral dilemma!!! Alcohol sponsors are one thing, even though I don't drink myself, but I really abhor smoking, so the fact that partial funds made from these concerts goes to the supporting of a legal addictive drug that kills people and/or complicates theirs and others' way of life (let alone make my clothes smell bad and my throat scratchy when I leave a club event) conflicts with my conscience. On the other hand, artists with real talent get to make money and visit our city twice (or more) in one year...hmmm. Well, that's my moral spiel, but I will still post the following:

 

Quick glance at Kool Nu Jazz Festival lineup...

Atlanta:

MON. 10/18: The Roots, Common (Earthlink Live)
TUE.  10/19: De La Soul, Slum Village (Earthlink Live)
WED. 10/20: Ruben Studdard, Rhian Benson (Earthlink Live)
THU.  10/21: Calvin Richardson, Javier (Earthlink Live)
FRI.   10/22: Erykah Badu, Twista, Nina Sky (Dekalb Civic Center)
SAT.  10/23: Jill Scott, Floetry (Dekalb Civic Center)
SUN.  10/25: Monica, Kevin Lyttle (Earthlink Live)
MON. 10/26: Jurassic 5, Amel Larrieux (Earthlink Live)
TUE.  10/27: Arrested Development, Cali-Comm (Earthlink Live)
WED. 10/28: George Clinton, LYFE (Earthlink Live)
THU.  10/29: Chaka Kahn, Kindred (Dekalb Civic Center)
FRI.   10/30: Lauryn Hill, Musiq (Dekalb Civic Center)

www.ticketmaster.com 

My picks for the week/weekend...


THURSDAY, OCT. 21, 2004

www.urbanmediamakers.com

The Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF) 2004 is proud to announce the UMFF 2004 Short Film Competition taking place during the "Independent Filmmaking Ultimate Networking Event" on Thursday, October 21, 2004, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. at Lab 601 Digital Post located in midtown Atlanta at 621 North Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia (visit www.randmcnally.com for directions).

The winners of the competition will be announced and awarded during the first annual Indie Media Awards celebration on Saturday night, October 23, 2004 during UMFF 2004. There will be a first, second and third place winners, and each will receive prizes and gifts. The "best in editing" for a short film winner will receive a Avid Express Pro system!

 
FRIDAY, OCT. 22, 2004

 

The OFFICIAL Atlanta Album Release Concert/Party...
with special guests.. the Afro Beat sounds of Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective and poet Kenneth Zakee. Tickets: $20

Afrikan Djeli Cultural Center (across from West End Mall)
840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., SW
Atlanta, GA  30310/404.753.8933
http://www.djeliculturalarts.com/FG2004


Sol-Fusion: The Intercontinental Lovefest
The OFFICIAL Afterparty for the Erykah Badu/Twista/Nina Sky concert at Django's Restaurant. Hosted by E. Badu, Twista, and Nina Sky. (495 Peachtree St.- Downtown-404.347.8648) RSVP to: jcarter@sol-fusion.com for free admission before 10:30pm/discounted admission at door after 10:30p w/ ticket stub.

SATURDAY, OCT. 23, 2004

"feVer" @ the Mark is the OFFICIAL Afterparty for the Jill Scott/Floetry concert. Sponsored by Kool () and Hosted by Jill Scott & Floetry (). Bring your ticket stub for a discount. Doors open at 9pm. Music by DJ Jamad and Cozy Shawn. 2-4-1 martinis between 9p-11p and ladies free before 11pm.

The Formula @ Tarrazu...still the best live jam session on the weekend where some of the best musicians around come through to create original pieces on the spot or re-create classics with The Formula - The Freestyle Fellowship! You never know what or who to expect every week (I know I don't) as there are ALWAYS musical surprises! Every Saturday from 9pm-Midnight..."Gas Money" donations are ALWAYS appreciated! http://tarrazucoffeebar.com/page4.html Want a live demonstration of how we do things...just turn your computer volume up right now!


SUNDAY, OCT. 24, 2004

AfriSalsa Sunday Socials 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Beginner Salsa Lesson at 6:15pm PLUS some fun individual movements. Free Before 6:30/$5 after

659 Auburn Ave Studio Plex Lofts
Mezcolanza Center for Latin Culture
Directions found at http://www.mezcolanza.org

Check out our photos!

                      www.afrisalsa.com

 

Go to www.atlantahapps.com/upcoming_events.htm for additional events not listed here.

In closing...

What's more fun to watch...the World Series or the 2004 Presidential Face-off between Kerry and Bush? Where the last election was like a Miss America voting ballot soap opera of who won what based on popularity vs. actual votes, this one is like a true battle...almost like a hip-hop battle of emcees of who has the nicest flow, and thus far--Kerry has been whoopin' Bush's @$$ when it comes to verbal prowess. Bush still has powerful connections and will use them to the very end to make every effort to stay in the seat of power (although he'll have to do better than "hanging chads" this go round). I'm thinking he'll pull Osama bin Laden out the hat or execute Hussein, or something to turn the tide, or something grandiose for that last sucker punch to effect the voters' minds. Kerry might have some tricks up his sleeve to, but he seems like the lesser of the two evils, or the more literate one, at the very least, which as a writer I respect more. It's hard to stay non-partisan in my public opinion when it's so obvious who the puppet with the most strings pulling him is. Anyway, "get out and rock the vote...or die", blah, blah, blah...or how about doing something truly American and treating everyone you meet, regardless of cultural, racial, sexual, or religious background like a human being and actually acting like a unified people who don't only exhibit those traits temporarily during holidays or when disaster strikes like 9/11. A country is defined more by the collective of its current acts than its propertied past or stirring words on paper that have lost their meaning over two centuries. We can break the chains of our past, or we can keep it going...just because this country was named after a liar doesn't mean we and our government have to do the same...