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Stylin'...

host — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:29:00 GMT

It was a big week for fashion...

Movie time

host — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:32:00 GMT

You don’t have to be a studio bigwig to party with actors and rock stars—at least, you didn’t at the Atlanta Film Festival’s opening-night screening of “The People Speak” on Thursday, April 19. The film gives voice to various perspectives on key moments in American history, as read or performed by such celebrities as Eddie Vedder (pictured), Josh Brolin, Jasmine Guy, and the Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson—all of whom attended the screening and opening-night gala at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. And as if that weren’t enough movie mania for one weekend, the Fox Theatre hosted a 70th-anniversary screening of “Gone With the Wind” on Sunday, April 19, highlighted by a pre-show discussion with critics Molly Haskell and Michael Sragow and Turner Classic Movies’ Robert Osborne.

Photos/Spark St. Jude

Book 'em!

host — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Apparently, getting John Grisham to do a book signing is only slightly less commonplace than scoring a copy of Shakespeare's works autographed by the Bard himself. So it was a pretty big deal when the modern master of legal thrillers produced his John Hancock for fans at a fundraiser for the Georgia Innocence Project on April 7. The event, which also featured Calvin C. Johnson Jr., netted $30,000 for the organization.

Not quite as rare (but always a delight) is an appearance by author, Savannah restaurateur and Food Network star Paula Deen, who dropped in on an Atlanta Press Club luncheon at the Atlanta Civic Center on April 14. Deen, on a whirlwind tour to promote "The Deen Family Cookbook," was so taken with the chocolate chip cookies baked by Margaret Head that she invited Head to come on her show. What can we say to that but "sweet"?

Photo by Michael David Murphy

BANGIN’ THE DRUM

host — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:02:00 GMT

The sense of history in was so thick you could cut it with a knife last Saturday, April 4, at the Drum Major for Justice Awards Dinner in the Omni Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Environmental champion Laura Turner Seydel, educator Ron Clark and Emmy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson (pictured, with activist Evelyn G. Lowery) were honored for their contributions to the cause of social justice. Kenny Leon served as master of ceremonies at the event, which also featured Reverend Joseph E. Lowery. The highlight of the evening, however, was the Ron Clark Academy Singers and their winning “You Can Vote However You Like,” which they also performed at President Obama’s inauguration.

PHOTO: SPARK ST. JUDE. To see more photos from this event, pick up the April 12 issue of The Sunday Paper!

Rockin' benefit of the week

host — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:01:00 GMT

An appreciative crowd going crazy for Stockbridge, Ga.’s favorite sons Collective Soul. Sounds like just another sweaty Friday night at the Tabernacle, right? Well, throw in up-and-comers Ben Deignan & Suburban Soul, the Less and high-school rockers Gypsum Groove, recruit Q100 personality Jeff Dauler to play host and make the whole thing a benefit for the Save Darfur Coalition. Doesn’t sound like business as usual now, does it? Frontman Ed Roland, guitarist Dean Roland and the band presented a $50,000 check to student organizers Katherine McKerrow and Megan Maziar (pictured) of the Galloway School’s Save Darfur Student Committee at the March 27 event. Kids and musicians raising 50 grand to combat the crisis in Darfur? We’d say that rocks.

PHOTOS/SPARK ST. JUDE

There's no business like show business

host — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:02:00 GMT

Spotting celebrities in the ATL isn’t exactly a big deal. Still, it’s not every weekend that newly minted “Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon pops into town, as he did last Saturday, March 21. The “Saturday Night Live” vet was the featured attraction at A Tony Evening, a 40th anniversary celebration/fundraiser for the Alliance Theatre at the W Midtown, where he performed for a crowd that included event chairperson Victoria Palefsky and Alliance Artistic Director Susan Booth.

Fallon wasn’t the only star making an Atlanta stop last weekend: Angel, the 4-and-a-half-year-old star of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” dropped by Centennial Park on March 20 to oversee canine auditions for an upcoming Disney “Buddies” flick. The event, which was tied to the release of “Chihuahua,” “Space Buddies” and “Bolt” on DVD, drew lots of hopeful hounds—as well as the lovely CJ, morning co-host for 95.5 the Beat, with her 4-year-old toy Chihuahua Zoe.

Photo by Jim Fitts

BLACK-TIE GALA OF THE WEEK

host — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:25:00 GMT

A recap of ATLexis 2009

Two starry nights

host — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:05:00 GMT

Big names and important causes were the order of the day at back-to-back events last weekend

Come out and play

host — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:36:00 GMT

Competing with professional athletes at their own game can be risky business. Going toe-to-toe at the blackjack table, though, evens the playing field a bit—or does it? The 17th annual Tom Glavine’s Spring Training, held Friday, Feb. 6 in the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium, offered gamblers-and comely pirates like the ones pictured—the chance to match wits with Glavine and other athletes at various casino games.

The event, hosted by the pitching ace himself also featured live and silent auctions with such goodies as a football autographed by Mark Richt, a jersey signed by former UGA Bulldog David Greene, a baseball signed by Chipper Jones and guitars signed by Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. Jeff Francoeur, John Smoltz and the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders were among the celebrities on hand at the shindig, which benefited the Georgia Transplant Foundation. Home run!

Photo by Gray Saunders

Date like a man

host — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:28:00 GMT

Attention single women: Are movies like “He’s Just Not That Into You” making you question your own abilities to read men? Never fear: Attraction Principles and Dating Pitfalls: An Evening of Wisdom, Wit and Wine for Single Women will teach you how to pay attention to your instincts and outline the seven traits that keep the guys in hot pursuit. Hosted by Nancy Nichols, author of “Secrets of the Ultimate Husband Hunter: How to Attract Men, Enjoy Dating and Recognize the Love of Your Life,” and The Sunday Paper’s own Blane Bachelor (pictured), the event features wine, appetizers and affirmation. Admission is $25 in advance and $35 at the door. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at Le Tux Shop in Virginia-Highland. To register or for more information, visit www.ultimatehusbandhunter.com.

Photo by Spark St. Jude

Big laughs, big names, small venue

host — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:25:00 GMT

If you love comedy but aren’t into arena shows, you’re in luck. On Feb. 12, the Laughing Skull Lounge, adjacent to the Midtown Vortex Bar and Grill, celebrates its newest incarnation as an intimate (and we do mean intimate) setting for progressive comedy shows, kicking off a weekend of shows with quirky stand-up legend Emo Philips (pictured). The 74-seat space will feature eight shows weekly, including upcoming performances by Maria Bamford, Rick Overton, Ian Bagg and Donnell Rawlings. All shows are open to adults 18 and older. For tickets and more information: 877-523-3288. www.vortexcomedy.com.

The life aquatic: the Atlanta Boat Show

host — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:44:00 GMT

The Atlanta Boat Show cruised into town this past week at the Georgia World Congress Center. Of the many shapes and sizes of nautical craft on display, one thing seemed to remain a constant: the astronomical prices. I guess it's good to know that in these difficult financial times and the potential of Lake Lanier becoming a big mud puddle over the next few years, many Atlantans still feel that all-important need to own the latest and greatest toys for the water.—Jason E Kemp

This week's celebrity birthdays ... of the week

host — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:45:00 GMT

Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute) is 43 on Jan. 20. Having seen “The Rocker” and “Juno,” we hope he sticks with his day job on “The Office.”