Lots of Atlantans have seen local musician Kodac Harrison—but they’ve never seen him in a performance like REACH FOR THE MOON. The grizzled songwriter-poet and a crackerjack band anchor this production, about a small-town boy who strikes out for the big city to chase his dream. The show features interpretive dance from Blake Dalton and Erin Weller, and is directed by local theater guru Del Hamilton. Tonight through Sunday at 7 Stages. 404-523-7647. www.7stages.org.

Don’t act like you don’t know Atlanta enjoys quite a reputation in the hip-hop community. This weekend, the city hosts the A3C HIP-HOP FESTIVAL, featuring Del tha Funkyhomosapien, Binkis Recs, DJ Lord of Public Enemy and a reunion of the legendary Juice Crew, including Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Marley Marl and Roxanne Shanté. It all starts tonight, March 20, with a kick-off party and performances, and continues through Saturday at the Midtown Music Complex. Three-day passes are $45. www.a3cfestival.com.

Singer-songwriters write passionately about everything from love and angst to sweaters and hair loss, but many of them are often ignored by mainstream radio. Hear what you’ve been missing during the HOTEL CAFE TOUR, featuring Cary Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Radin, Bob Schneider, AM and Christopher Denny. The show starts at 8 p.m. tonight at Center Stage Atlanta. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 on the day of the show. 404-885-1365. 
www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

So shop it up! Thursday, March 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., on the rooftop of the Tribute Lofts in the Old Fourth Ward for casual cocktails and shopping. Enjoy one of the best views of Atlanta, while perusing the latest goods from Veruca Boutique, Amanda Gary Handbags, Joyeux Home + Garden, Adaptation Floral Designs, Bou Cou jewelry, Marcellina G. - Modern Vintage Jewelry, and Hi Heels Boutique. RSVP to Caren West PR at rsvp@carenwestpr.com or 404.614.0006. Ample parking is available. Enter on John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE.

On March 14, Sen. Barack Obama told CNN, regarding the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments about 9/11 and white America, "Had I heard those statements in the church, I would have told Reverend Wright that I profoundly disagree with them,” adding, "What I have been hearing and had been hearing in church was talk about Jesus and talk about faith and values and serving the poor."

But on March 18, in a speech in Philadelphia, he admitted he had sat in church and heard his former minister make controversial remarks.

Atlanta author PEARL CLEAGE discusses her new novel, “Seen It All and Done the Rest,” about an international star who returns home to Atlanta to help her granddaughter, tonight at the Margaret Mitchell House. A reception begins at 6 p.m., with the discussion at 7 p.m. Admission is $10. Reservations are requested. 404-249-7015. www.gwtw.org.

On the roads of our fair city, it’s sometimes hard to remember that driving can be fun. Recapture the thrills of being behind the wheel of a fine automobile during the BMW ULTIMATE DRIVE EVENT. Breast cancer survivors and supporters earn $1 to fund breast cancer research for every mile they drive between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. today at Global Imports. Free digital mammographies are offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free. For more information, visit www.globalimportsbmw.com/communitycalendar.

Looking for one more way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Try the RAISING OF THE GREEN, which includes samples from Stone Mountain restaurants, as well as a silent auction and, of course, plenty of green beer. The party takes place at 6 p.m. at ART Station in Stone Mountain. Tickets are $20 in advance. 770-469-1105. www.artstation.org.

If you look at the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s page A5 story in the March 16 edition, “Five Years in Iraq: Soldiers Talk About How It Felt,” you immediately think that even soldiers currently serving in the armed forces oppose the war. That’s because the AJC shamefully misused and actually distorted quotes used as the pullquotes—the boldfaced quotes placed under the pictures of the soldiers they interviewed—in order to express the AJC’s own stand against the war.

Tap into the spirit of charitable eating with the TAP PROJECT, a nationwide restaurant event that invites diners to pay $1 for water they’d normally get for free—a donation that helps UNICEF provide safe drinking water for children around the world. The project runs today through March 22, which is, strangely enough, World Water Day. (Who knew?) For a list of participating restaurants, visit www.tapproject.org.