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HEY, I KNOW THAT GUY … You probably know KEVIN POLLAK from his roles in more than 50 films including “The Usual Suspects,” “Casino” and, uh, “Dr. Doolittle 2.” But you might not know him as a comedian and impressionist, known for dead-on takes on Christopher Walken and William Shatner. The actor, writer and producer appears Friday and Saturday at the Punchline for a rare engagement. So what do you need, an engraved invitation? 404-252-5233. www.punchline.com.
THREE GOOD THINGS THE GERMANS GAVE US: And no, we’re not talking about Volkswagens. German food, German music and (best of all) German beer—they’re all waiting for you at the fifth annual GERMAN BIERFEST Saturday afternoon at Woodruff Park. A ticket ($30 in advance, $35 at the door) gets you a sampling glass and all the beer (more than 30 German brews) you can drink. Kids and designated drivers get in free (although no one under 21 will be allowed to drink, of course). There’s also fare from popular local restaurants. It all starts at 2 p.m. Vunderbar! 678-244-1528. www.germanbierfest.com.
BREAK OUT THE ZOLOFT: If you’re a fan of live music and have a hard time making decisions, Saturday night is just plain going to be a problem. Do you rock out to the mildly dangerous, derivative ’90s alterna-rock of the reunited STONE TEMPLE PILOTS at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (404-249-6400, www.vzwamp.com)? Do you take things down a couple of notches and mellow out to soft rockers SISTER HAZEL performing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Chastain Park Amphitheatre (404-733-4800, www.classicchastain.org)? Or do you opt for a rare appearance by country music living legend LORETTA LYNN at the Cobb Energy Centre (404-249-6400, www.cobbenergycentre.com)? See? We told you it was going to be rough …
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE … So prescribe yourself a heavy dose of frivolity Sunday at the Punchline’s COMEDY FOR A CURE event. Hosted by child cancer survivor Jay Eichelberger, the festivities include headliner Tom Simmons and at least one other comic, as well as a raffle and live auction of such items as an iPod, a Nintendo Wii, sports tickets and a week at a Florida vacation home. All proceeds benefit CURE Childhood Cancer. For more information, call 404-252-5233 or visit www.punchline.com. ( Full article and comments) “There is no doubt that the new frontier of entertainment is taking place informally on the street,” former Atlanta resident John Mayer (pictured) posted on his blog a couple of weeks back.
And boy, was he not kidding: After breaking up with his latest flame, Jennifer Aniston (reported by text message, depending on which news outlets you believe), Mayer held an impromptu press conference with a gaggle of paparazzi recently to work out his feelings, although springing for a shrink would have been a lot less embarrassing. The pop superstar, never one to be extremely forthright in these matters (did he ever really admit that he was dating Jessica Simpson?), gave a rambling and not very informative discourse, alternately bemoaning the breakup and asserting his role as the breaker-upper.
As the visibly unsettled Mayer told the throng: “If you guys are going to run stuff and run every lie under the sun, have somebody stand up for somebody. Have me as a man who ended a relationship stand here and write some truth. Have me stand up for somebody and write that Jennifer Aniston is the smartest, most sophisticated person I think I've ever met. She's one of the most lovely people I've ever met in my life … I ended a relationship to be alone because I don't want to waste somebody's time if something's not right.”
OK, we get it—she’s great, and you dumped her. “Say what you need to say,” indeed …
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) Cornell Hayes Jr.—better known Nelly—had plenty of folks shaking their tailfeathers at the Tabernacle last Tuesday. Although the show—part of the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert series—was free, the St. Louis-based rapper didn’t skimp on showmanship, delivering an energetic set that had the whole floor bouncing. Although some of those in attendance might have been reacting just as much to his chiseled physique, complemented by a simple white T-shirt, as to the music. Let’s just say he shouldn’t have any trouble in his upcoming gig as a model for Diddy’s Sean John underwear line.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images ( Full article and comments)
The first thing you'll see on the Republic of Georgia's presidential Web site is a heartbreaking listing of medals awarded for courage in "defending the motherland." Little Georgia has far too few troops to defend itself from Russia's forces. Equally upsetting is the video of Russian planes dropping bombs within full view of international news crews' cameras. Nonetheless, we need to see it. It's important to know what's going on there. Visit http://www.president.gov.ge and click on "Video Material" in the lower left corner.
And here, in case you have not read it, is Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's address to his people and the world: ( Full article and comments) Organizers for the third annual Decatur Book Festival—and hormonal home-improvement enthusiasts across Atlanta—were bummed to learn last week that “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” heartthrob and Atlanta native Ty Pennington had to bow out of the Labor Day Weekend book-athon due to a scheduling conflict, said to involve a segment for Oprah Winfrey’s television show. With big literary names like keynote speaker Billy Collins, Kathy Reich, Eric Jerome Dickey and many more to fall back on, you might be asking, what’s the big deal? “This is an inconvenience because promotional materials such as the festival programs have already been printed, and this may create some confusion for attendees,” said BDF Executive Director Daren Wang in a press release. Festival folks say they’re working with the publishers of Pennington’s upcoming book “Good Design Can Change Your Life” to score an even bigger replacement. Meanwhile, we’re still grappling with the idea that the hammer-wielding hunk knows how to write. (Just kidding, Ty.)
Photo: Courtesy of Porter Novelli ( Full article and comments) Robert De Niro (pictured) is 65 on Aug. 17. You got a problem with that? Actor Edward Norton is 39 on Aug. 18. You know, the guy from “Fight Club.” No, not Brad Pitt—the other one. Yeah, him. Despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, Patrick Swayze is looking good as he turns 56 on Aug. 18. Rock on, Bodhi. The enchanting Amy Adams is 34 on Aug. 20. You’ve come a long way from “Cruel Intentions 2,” baby. The brilliant Kim Cattrall—who portrayed a sexy female in “Sex and the City”—is 52 on Aug. 21. Country legend Kenny Rogers is 70 on Aug. 21. Talk about knowing when to hold ’em … B-baller Kobe Bryant, who turns 30 on Aug. 21, might follow Josh Childress’ lead and head for Europe. Not to worry: His ego is big enough for two continents. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) 1. FREEDOM PARK: Lots of attractive Atlantans and their four-legged friends play Frisbee, do a little jogging and soak up some sun at this pretty Piedmont alternative. 2. DOWNTOWN DECATUR: Shoppers with loads of bags roam the streets, and there’s plenty of patio real estate to relax and have a drink while you take in the scene. 3. FLAT SHOALS ROAD: Tatted-up biker types, local hipsters, longtime East Atlanta residents and the occasional freaked-out suburbanite make for a great mix. 4. TURNER FIELD (pictured): Sports fans can look pretty funny when they get all worked up. And this is one of the places you’re actually encouraged to scream at the top of your lungs.
Photo: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images ( Full article and comments)
The Republic of Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the Development and Reform Foundation's "Unite as We Stand" program to raise funds to help Georgia recover from being attacked by its much larger and very aggressive neighbor, Russia. While aid is coming in from the United States, the European Union, Canada and Turkey, more help is needed. To learn about how you can help, visit the ministry's Web site at http://embassy.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=461&info_id=7399 ( Full article and comments) Before there was Will Ferrell or Sarah Jessica Parker, there were real movie stars like Cary Grant and Julie Christie. Hearken back to the days of yore with the ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES NIGHT Saturday, Aug. 16 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The program, hosted by TCM’s Robert Osborne (pictured), features the ASO will performing musical selections accompanying scenes from classics like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Dr. Zhivago,” “Citizen Kane” and more. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $21-$64. 404-733-5000. www.vzwamp.com.
Photo: Katy Winn/Getty Images ( Full article and comments)
Food from around here just tastes better. It's riper, sweeter, juicier, perkier and more flavorful. It's time for a farm-to-table meal in all its glory, yes? On Tuesday, August 12, at 7 p.m., Inman Park's Parish presents a four-course meal comprised of entirely local ingredients perfectly paired with local wines and served family style at the Communal Table. Join farmer Bill Yoder for a special grower’s dinner. Check out the menu lineup:
First course: Broadbean and crispy pancetta salad, tomato, pecorino, mint vinaigrette. Broadbeans are from Stillwater Farms. Tomatoes from Bill Yoder. Mint is from Parish’s garden. Second course: Apple-walnut risotto, gorgonzola cheese. Apples are from Ellijay, GA. Cheese is from Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville, GA. Third course: Roasted Springer Mountain chicken, sweet sausage, Yukon gold potato, pearl onion, balsamic butter. Chicken from Springer Mountain Farms in Mt. Airy, GA. Sausages are handcrafted at Parish from Riverview Pork. Potatoes are from Waverly Bros in Forest Park, GA Fourth course: Peach crostata, ginger ice cream. Peaches are from Neil Taylor and Split Cedar Farms in Ellenwood, GA Tickets cost $60 per person, not including tax and gratuity. Space is limited. Call Parish at 404.681.4434 to make a reservation. Parish is at 240 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, 30307
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