|
By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour
"Giving Back"
Let me begin by first addressing some of you very personally. You may have noticed that little section of my page further below these articles that mentions a book entitled "This Would Be a Love Song...if Only I Could Sing" that I have in the works. Well, it's pretty much done and ready for publication with the one barrier being that of the finances to get the first copies up and running and into your hands to own and read the first fruits of my literary labor.
What I am looking for are interested investors who are willing to help make this work a reality that I can share with the world...or at least the portion of it that I live in. If you are, in fact, interested, please e-mail me at: ahmed@atlantahapps.com with your contact information and I will speak with you personally about the details as well as how this will benefit you and/or your company. Thank you for your time and attention, and now we shall proceed with this week's article...
I can see why Mike enlisted R. Kelly
to help him produce his latest joint...he possibly also needed the advice
of another well-known and alleged pedophile to find out how to go about
getting people to buy his music in the midst of controversy, and
still be able to tour with the permission of the judiciaries presiding
of his case, whereas any other accused individual would be in
contempt for violating parole. Oops, let me stop before I
start trouble on here. How about I flip it and highlight
something positive in the entertainment world like when Savion
Glover came through last Monday to the Children's
Musuem of Atlanta for his press conference concerning his
upcoming world premiere, next week at Rialto Center.
He talked to and tapped with the children who were in attendance and
also signed his tap shoes and gave them away to one of them i n a kind
gesture. Savion is dope not just in his dance skills, or even his
humanitarianism, but in his continuing a lasting legacy such as tap
dancing, like a modern day griot sharing the stories of our past as
handed down to him from those who were also given the sacred
instructions and records. Shadows of Bojangles, The
Nicolas Brothers, Slide, Sandman,
Sammy, and even our recently departed Gregory
seem to invoke their presence into his performances just as
they seemed to have a strong impression on a much younger Savion
when he was in the movie "Tap", when the
majority of those mentioned where still alive and actually featured in
that film. Atlanta is fortunate to be host to Savion's world premiere
with 8 opportunities for you to be witness to such a great event of such
a great talent! Opening night is Tuesday, November 25,
but you can check out times for any of the remaining shows by visiting www.rialtocenter.org
or call 404.651.4727. Tickets start at $25 and will be well worth
it!
Also premiering on next Tuesday (11.25.03) is the kick-off for Tarrazu
Coffeebar's "Groove Lounge Series" featuring
none other than The Formula with special emphasis on
featuring up & coming artists in the Metro Atlanta area, while we'll
reserve "Session Saturdays" mostly as an
instrumental jam session with guest musicians sitting in with us--either
way you get us twice a week now! To help us kick off the
event in the right spirit, we're also asking that those planning
to attend bring a non-perishable food item (no limit on how
much you want to bring) so we can donate them to feed the hungry
during the Thanksgiving holiday season (we probably should
make that ongoing from that point on).
Lot's of things are going down this week, but TONIGHT
(11.20.03), alone, features events like: Def Poetry Jam
at the Fox (http://foxtheatre.org/cgi-bin/calendar/calendar.cgi?d=20&m=11&y=2003);
The Urban Nutcracker at GA Tech's Ferst Center (www.ballethnic.org);
Whild Peach @ Apache Cafe' (www.apachecafeinfo.com);
RZA/Das EFX (where they been at? www.earthlinklive.com);
Atlanta Urban Mediamakers 2nd Anniversary Celebration @ Lab
601 (www.urbanmediamakers.com),
whew! Gotta breathe for a second...okay...
ASCAP's "We Got N ext" new artist
showcase @ The Riviera @8pm/Free (www.therivieraclub.com/),
as well as...
The Tanqueray Soul Suite @ Vision (www.visionatlanta.com RSVP
@ http://www.tanqueraysoulsuite.com/atlanta/rsvp/)...
For the rest of the week's highlights, please click on: www.atlantahapps.com/newsletter.htm, but you can always e-mail me to ask me what's happening on a particular night, as a few of you have started doing. I don't mind as things do pop up at the last minute, anyway.
Well,
I'm done for this week, but I gotta recommend that if any of you haven't
seen "Antwone
Fisher" as yet--YOU MUST GET IT! I believe the
reason why I took so long to finally watch it was because I was afraid
that it would open up some old wounds from my past. Well...it did and it
felt like someone shot me, because it was immensely painful to relieve
and feel the hurt that the young boy in me has had to endure all these
years due to my father's purposeful absence in my life and a lack
of a strong family bond, but as the main character stated emphatically,
"I'm still standing... I'm still strong!"
Feel free to e-mail me at: ahmed@atlantahapps.com
The views in this article are not necessarily the expressed views of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM or it's affiliates.
SENSUAL SATURDAYS at Tarrazu Coffeebar
Date: Join us on Saturday, December 6, 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!
Ahmed Sirour writes a weekly journal for ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
Ahmed Sirour is a Georgia Regional Representative for Hidden Beach Recordings
-- Archive
lunch specials, and a preview of their dinner menu at:
www.tarrazucoffeebar.com. Tell them Ahmed sent you…no, you won’t
get any discoun
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
 |
Please Read Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Powered
by:
|
