Sunday, September 27, 2009
A+E, Atlanta
The SP100: Arts and Entertainment
Atlanta’s It List 2009
Jonathan and Gayle Rej, husband-and-wife owners of the Plaza Theatre.
Frank Mullen
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
B.o.B
Top Shelf Productions’ “Surrogates”
J. Meric/Getty Images
Ludacris
Scott Gries/ Getty Images
Robin Meade
Courtesy of Laughing Skull Lounge
Laughing Skull LoungeB.O.B
WHY: There’s been a ton of “next big thing” buzz about this quirkily creative hip-hop artist (who also goes by Bobby Ray), and his prolific output over the last couple of years—on mix tapes and a never-ending string of guest appearances—proves it’s not just hype. We expect the talk to get louder once his full-length debut, “The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” drops on T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint.
WHERE: www.bobatl.com.
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS
WHY: The critically acclaimed, Marietta-based specialty comics publisher enjoys the prestige of being the exclusive U.S. home of industry heavyweight Alan Moore’s current projects. It also published the sci-fi thriller “The Surrogates,” recently adapted into a major motion picture starring Bruce Willis.
WHERE: www.topshelfcomix.com.
PASTE MAGAZINE
WHY: In less than a decade, the Decatur-based publication dedicated to “signs of life in music, film and culture” has become a respected national tastemaker with a devoted readership. When the magazine recently faced financial difficulties, readers donated their hard-earned money to keep it afloat. Now that’s dedication.
WHERE: 619 East College Ave., Decatur. www.pastemagazine.com.
EAGLE EYE BOOK SHOP
WHY: One of the Atlanta area’s last remaining locally owned and operated booksellers offers a wide selection of books, author appearances (catch Vince Flynn on Oct. 28) and the Friday Night Book Club, which meets once a month. Don’t forget to search through the growing collection of titles signed by the authors.
WHERE: 2976 N. Decatur Road, Decatur. 404-486-0307. www.eagleeyebooks.com.
JIMMY BARON
WHY: Once a mainstay on alternative-rock powerhouse 99X, Baron (full disclosure: husband of former SP columnist Lisa Baron) recently returned to the local airwaves after a long drought, sharing his insights and humor during the morning commute on DAVE-FM.
WHERE: 92.9 DAVE-FM. www.929dave.fm.
LUDACRIS
WHY: That’s a good question, seeing as how Luda doesn’t have a hot new album (“Theater of the Mind” was released last November), and his most recent movie outings (“Gamer,” “Max Payne”) haven’t exactly showcased his talents. But that just gives us more time to look forward to his 2010 album “Ludaversal” and next month’s BET docu-reality series “Inside DTP.”
WHERE: www.ludacris.defjam.com.
SUCHITA VADLAMANI
WHY: Though her hotness can’t be ignored (and we’re not trying to avoid it), we heart Fox’s “Good Day Atlanta” Suchita for the goodness in her heart, the fun she brings to reporting, her worldly knowledge, and yeah—her dashing good looks don’t hurt, either.
WHERE: Fox 5.
LAUGHING SKULL LOUNGE
WHY: Hip, cutting-edge progressive comedy, served Vortex-style in an intimate setting, is the reason to visit this Midtown comedy club headed by Marshall Chiles. Comedians like Brett Butler and Jim Florentine grace this club on a regular basis. You won’t see Carrot Top appearing anytime soon because he just isn’t cool enough.
WHERE: 878 Peachtree St. 877-523-3288. www.vortexcomedy.com.
PLAZA THEATRE
WHY: This historic landmark has everything a cinema could need: old seats, fluffy popcorn and cult classics galore. Just this month alone it screened George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” alongside Dan O’Bannon’s “Return of the Living Dead.” And in case you didn’t know, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” plays every Friday night at midnight.
WHERE: 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com.
ROBIN MEADE
WHY: She’s the happy-go-lucky morning anchor on Atlanta-based HLN, which can drive those people who hate mornings to want to throw the remote at her. To make things worse, she’s good when reporting topics like Michael Jackson’s memorial and Obama’s inauguration. She also recently authored, “Morning Sunshine! How to Radiate Confidence and Feel It, Too.”
WHERE: HLN’s “Morning Express” Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.