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Weekend to-do list

Larissa — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:29:00 GMT

We know your shame. You long to walk amongst others who enjoy dressing up as Klingons as much as you do, to discuss “Heroes” and Harry Potter lore in a safe setting, to chat with comic book artists, authors, actors and filmmakers who share your interests. Well, cheer up—SCI-FI SUMMER CON is here for you. Enjoy gaming, film screenings, discussion panels and even live music, tonight through Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Marietta. For information on tickets and other information, visit www.sfscon.net.

PARTY FOR A CAUSE: Eat, drink and be the cause of merriment at the LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY BENEFIT at Five Seasons Brewing in Sandy Springs tonight at 7:30 p.m. A $20 wristband scores you unlimited rounds of local brews, in addition to tasty bites from the kitchen. The event includes a silent auction and a raffle to win a deluxe Braves ticket package. 404-255-5911. www.5seasonsbrewing.com.

COMEDY CAMPAIGN: Fans of radio and television talk-show host GLENN BECK, and especially subscribers to his magazine Fusion, are familiar with the commentator’s comedic side. The rest of us might be surprised to learn that Beck crisscrosses the country on a comedy tour each summer. His current tour focuses on (what else?) politics, promising nonpartisan insight. It comes tonight at 7:30 p.m. to the John A. Williams Theatre at the Cobb Energy Centre. Tickets range from $35-$90. 404-249-6400. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

A FAR CRY FROM HOTEL RWANDA: The High Museum kicks off its CLOSE UP—DON CHEADLE film festival tonight at 8 p.m. with a screening of “Talk to Me” at The Woodruff Arts Center’s Rich Theatre. This film finds the Golden Globe Award-winning actor in the role of ’60s Washington, D.C. radio DJ “Petey” Greene, alongside Cedric the Entertainer and Vondie Curtis Hall. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.

Garden Party or Designer Affair? You decide.

Larissa — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:22:00 GMT

COCKTAILS FOR CHILDREN: Well, not in a literal sense, but having a drink tonight at the Q100 BENEFIT FOR THE CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA CHILDREN'S GARDEN could have some interesting side effects. “Bert Show” host Bert Weiss hosts a silent auction from 7-9 p.m., with goodies from George Clooney, Justin Timberlake, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Gretzky and Miley Cyrus up for grabs. Nibbles from Fritti are provided, and the entirety of the $12 admission fee (along with bar and auction proceeds) benefits special projects and programs for kids at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Cheers! 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

DOWN-HOME DESIGN: We know what you’re thinking, and no, we’re not talking about deep-fried lawnmowers (like “Sweet Fried” at the Defoor Center) or explorations in taxidermy (think “Yes No Maybe So” by Marcus Kenney). The ultra-futuristic MADE IN GEORGIA exhibit opening tonight at the Museum of Design-Atlanta, showcases the present and future of Southern product design. The show runs through Oct. 18. A $5 donation is suggested. 404-521-9311. www.museumofdesign.org.

Some Left and Some Right

Larissa — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:27:00 GMT

In the wake of the Democratic nomination race (that we never thought would end), we at SP have scoured campaign coverage to produce some interesting thoughts from both McCain and Obama.

Both camps seem to be fairly optimistic as they hit the trail:

"You think about all the people who had to knock down barriers for me to walk through this door, and the challenges they went through were so much more difficult, so much more severe, and the risks they took were so much greater that I will say, last night standing in that auditorium, it struck me that it was testimony to them."

Sen. Barack Obama, while walking through a hallway in the U.S. Senate, just hours after he was named the victor in the Democratic primary.

“What a welcome change it would be were presidential candidates in our time to treat each other and the people they seek to lead with respect and courtesy as they discussed the great issues of the day, without the empty sound bites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections."

Republican Sen. John McCain, on the prospect of holding a series of town-hall debates with Democratic Sen. Barack Obama prior to the 2008 Presidential Election.

Double the fun

Larissa — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:12:00 GMT

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES: Got a yen to sip a dry-ice cocktail, savor wines from across the globe or win free round-trip tickets on Delta? Sample cuisine from top local restaurants at Taste of Atlanta’s CULINAIRE, a night of international flavors at the New World of Coca-Cola/ Participate in a silent auction including celebrity-designed and autographed platters to benefit the Atlanta chapter of Les Dames des d’Escoffier. A portion of the evening’s proceeds goes to the Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia. For more information: www.tasteofatlanta.net/culinaire.

IN THE FLESH: Trust the author of “Choke,” “Fight Club” and “Haunted” to write a novel about an aging porn queen determined to go out with, er, a bang. CHUCK PALAHNIUK discusses his latest, “Snuff,” tonight at 7:15 p.m. at the Clarkston Campus of Georgia Perimeter Campus. (We know, we know, but trust us—it’s worth the drive.) All books are pre-autographed; only the first 150 attendees will be able to get their books personalized. No memorabilia will be signed. For other signing rules, visit www.chuckpalahniuk.net. 404-370-8450, ext. 225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.

The Golden Ticket

Larissa — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:01:00 GMT

The ever-quirky Plaza Theatre tweaks the traditional dinner-and-a-movie template with “Art Opening and a Movie,” featuring WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY alongside THE ART OF LAEL PASTORE tonight at 8 p.m. The glittery, over-the-top works by this local artist probably make more sense when paired up with snozzberries. Who are we to judge? Tickets to the sugar-coated affair are $7.50 for adults, $6 for students. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com.

Loss of a Legend

Larissa — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:47:00 GMT

The style community joins together today to mourn the passing of YVES SAINT LAURENT at age 71.

A true visionary, and the namesake of the famed couture house in Paris, Saint Laurent suffered from brain cancer. He was in the presence of longtime friends Betty Catroux and Pierre Berge in Paris at time of death. Funerary services will be held on Thursday, and Saint Laurent's remains will rest in his famed Majorelle Garden in Marrakech.

Apprenticed to the late Christian Dior, Saint Laurent went on to become the inventor of ready-to-wear as a category of fashion, and routinely broke new ground as a designer by challenging conventions. The designer found himself in a category with Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, Karl Lagerfeld and Monsieur Dior himself—a very small and ingenious collective of creative minds. Contemporary designers often saw him as an inspiration, looking to Saint Laurent as one of the godfathers of fashion.

"He's my big fashion hero and always has been, and it's really sad that he's gone," said Marc Jacobs. "I just think to me and so many others he has been such a great inspiration in terms of everything, first and foremost in terms of design. Saint Laurent was the first to look at youth and street culture and take elements and make them chic."

The designer left a huge body of work andan amazing legacy that will no doubt inspire many future generations of designers to come. Adieu, Yves.

Picks of the week

Larissa — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:01:00 GMT

There’s never a shortage of quality comedy in Atlanta, but this week brings two marquis comics worth noting. “Saturday Night Live” and “Uptown Comedy Club” vet JIM BREUER rolls into the Funny Farm from Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8. Known for blending comedy and heavy metal (backed by a full band), the man behind SNL’s famous Goat Boy delivers a manic blend of family-man observations and hard-rock fanaticism. Tickets are $25. For show schedules and other information, call 770-817-4242 or visit www.funnyfarmcomedyclub.com.

Funny lady MARGARET CHO also hits town Friday, as her “Beautiful Tour” stops at the Tabernacle for an 8 p.m. show to tackle issues of image and beauty. As if Cho’s trademark biting wit and her inclination to shove controversy into the spotlight weren’t enough, YouTube favorite Liam Sullivan (of “OMG, Shoes” fame) also appears. Tickets range from $28.50 to $45.50—if you can find them; the show is sold out. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com.

Park it, Y'all

Larissa — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Time to get out the picnic blanket and bug spray—Park Tavern’s UNPLUGGED IN THE PARK is back again for a sixth season, kicking off the first night of the free concert series with musicians SHANNON MCNALLY AND KEN WILL MORTON tonight at 7 p.m. (Should it rain, don’t pack it in—Park Tavern’s $1 drafts are a fantastic backup plan.) 404-249-0001. www.parktavern.com.

A (sexy) Weekly Special

Larissa — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:04:00 GMT

Enjoy a COMPLIMENTARY COSMO BIANCO COCKTAIL when you present a ticket stub for “Sex and the City,” May 30-June 6 at STEEL RESTAURANT & LOUNGE. 950 W. Peachtree St., Suite 255, Atlanta, 30309. 404-477-6111. www.steelatlanta.com.