Sunday, February 24, 2008
Quick, Radar

Ready... Chrisette... Go!

...and Party of the Week

PHOTOS/RAYMOND HAGANS

It was a whirlwind weekend in A-town for R&B songbird Chrisette Michelle (center, with her mother Linette Payne). The Grammy-nominated singer came to Atlanta for a pair of sold-out shows at Sugar Hill Feb. 16-17; she also found time for a private, invite-only performance Sunday night at Shout for her favorite jeweler, Tous. But the event they’ll be talking about for years was her explosive appearance that same day at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Thousands of churchgoers—not to mention Bishop Eddie Long —gave Michelle a standing ovation for what many called one of the greatest gospel performances they’d ever seen. Michelle even enjoyed a private chat with Bernice King after the show. Not too shabby.

PARTY OF THE WEEK

PHOTOS/SPARK ST. JUDE

Had to be the gathering of oenophiles who congregated at the 4th Annual Atlanta Fine Wine Festival Feb. 16 at Mason Murer Fine Art. Patrons enjoyed rare and vintage wines (that’s Barbara Szopa, left, pouring us a glass), gourmet fare (we particularly enjoyed the crab and mango wraps from Steel) and a silent auction, which included a work by acclaimed Atlanta painter Thomas Arvid (right). And of course the whole thing benefited Visiting Nurse/Hospice Atlanta, which works to provide quality end-of-life care, making the entire afternoon all the sweeter.