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Say what you will about Atlanta-born rapper and producer KANYE WEST, you can’t blame the guy for being too subtle. Case in point: his GLOW IN THE DARK TOUR, which pulls into the Arena at Gwinnett Center tonight. West’s storied ego is apparently healthy enough that he doesn’t fear being upstaged by hot young superstar RIHANNA, rapper LUPE FIASCO or the eclectic collective N.E.R.D. (the musical side project of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, aka hitmaking production duo the Neptunes). www.gwinnettcenter.com. If you’re like us, you just can’t get enough of the ’80s. Celebrate the era at ’80s NIGHT, featuring a performance by Atlanta’s own pop purveyors THE PRODUCERS at the Concourse Athletic Club at 8 Concourse Parkway in Atlanta. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m tonight. Tickets are $15. 770-698-1650. www.concourseclub.com. You loved the catchy hard rock of the early ’80s, and the pop-metal Springsteen era of “Slippery When Wet” and “New Jersey.” Basically, you’ve been a BON JOVI disciple through the good times and even the not-so-great ones, all the way through to a smash-hit collaboration with Jennifer Nettles and last year’s surprisingly sturdy, semi-country “Lost Highway.” So you’re sure to be in the audience tonight or tomorrow (or both) for the band’s two-night stand at Philips Arena, with special guest Daughtry. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. 404-249-6400. www.philipsarena.com. We’re willing to bet that DOLLY PARTON puts in longer hours than that, but she still manages to put her heart and soul into her job. Catch the country legend at the Fox Theatre on her current Backwoods Barbie Tour tonight. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55, $75 and $100. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org. Do you enjoy ripping the tails off of crawfish to get to the tasty meat inside? If so, the ATKINS PARK CRAWFISH BOIL AND JAZZ FESTIVAL is just the experience you’ve been waiting for. The festivities start at 1 p.m. today and continue through 11 p.m. at the Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna. 770-435-1887. www.atkinspark.com. It’s good to be the boss. We bet it’s especially good to be “The Boss,” BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, riding a wave of critical hype for his latest album, “Magic.” After indulging his dustbowl troubadour side with “Devils & Dust” and going off the rails with an album of Pete Seeger covers, Springsteen rebounded last year with the full-on rock ‘n’ roll album 2002’s “The Rising” should have been. One of 2007’s best albums, it gives Bruce and the legendary E Street Band some new classics to mix into the set list. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 at Philips arena. Tickets are $67 and $97. 404-249-6400. www.philipsarena.com. Even the biggest names in hip-hop have to start somewhere. That place could be the 11TH ANNUAL UNSIGNED URBAN SHOWCASE, an evening that features up-and-coming performers as well as unsigned musicians. The bill includes Lil’ Wayne, Sean Garrett and Teyana Taylor as well as four hopefuls including Atlanta’s Holly Weerd, MC Jarren Benton and rapper Trimm, who’ll perform in front of a panel of judges. 9 p.m. at Luckie Lounge. Admission is $20 until 10 p.m. www.bmi.com. www.luckiefoodlounge.com. It was an “American Idol” that recently brought his “Geek in the Pink” to national attention, but singer-songwriter JASON MRAZ has already enjoyed some time in the spotlight, racking up rave reviews and touring with the likes of Sheryl Crow. Catch him at 8 p.m. tonight at the Variety Playhouse—if you can. Tickets are $30, but the show is sold out (see? We told you.). 404-524-7354.
www.variety-playhouse.com. When you’re married to one of the world’s most recognizable movie stars, you’ve got to have a pretty healthy ego. That would certainly explain the pairing of KEITH URBAN AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD. Sure, Urban’s been a high-profile country music luminary for most of this decade, but “American Idol” winner Underwood’s career has been on fire since her saucy hit single “Before He Cheats” made her a bona fide superstar—anyone who follows her onstage had better be pretty damn comfortable in his skintight jeans. The pair performs two shows this week, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Tickets are $49.50 and $75. 404-240-6400. www.gwinnettcenter.com. What better way to recognize Atlanta’s signature beer—and Earth Day—than with a weekend festival? That’s right, man, it’s time for the SWEETWATER 420 FEST, which pours into Candler Park Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20. Drink in the sounds of Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Outformation, Erica Newell with Dubconscious, the Last Waltz Ensemble, Entropy, Captain Soularcat, Uncle Joe’s Medicine Show, Sun Toucher, Mama’s Love, Kingrat and Steve Coffey & the Rockin’ Pontoons. Oh, and there’s beer, too. Admission is free; a wristband for ages 21 and up is $5. For more information, tap into www.sweetwater420fest.com. |