Creative Loafing Atlanta

WED/9TONY FURTADO The banjo was Furtado’s initial instrument of choice, but after switching to guitar, specifically slide, his music was elevated to another level. Heavily influenced by Ry Cooder’s innovative style, his dusky voice and sepia-toned Americana is edgy, thoughtful, unique and compelling. $12-$60. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com[[[SHIFTIN ... Full Story »

OPENING FRIDAY INVICTUS (PG-13) Clint Eastwood directs this combination of political biopic and sports drama as Morgan Freeman plays newly elected South African President Nelson Mandela, who hopes a rugby team (led by Matt Damon) will help bridge the country’s racial divides. ME AND ORSON WELLES 4 stars (PG-13) See review. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (G) See review. UP IN THE AIR 4 stars (R) See ... Full Story »

Dec. 9-15... By Rob Brezsny SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): One of your top accomplishments in 2009 is the way you have united parts of yourself that had not previously been very well connected. It seems you decided that you were tired of being split up into fragmented sub-personalities that had different agendas. Somehow you managed to convince them all to work together in a common cause. Now I ... Full Story »

By Chuck Shepherd LEAD STORY: In October in Orange County, Calif., Billy Joe Johnson, who had just been convicted of murder as a hit man for a white supremacist gang, begged the judge and jury, in all sincerity, to sentence him to death. Johnson knew that those on California's death row get individual cells and better telephone access, nicer contact-visit arrangements, and more personal-property ... Full Story »

Signature Sounds Recording Co.... By James Kelly From the intricate finger-picking intro to the final spiritually tinged note, Decatur folk singer Caroline Herring has created a rich panorama that captures the essence of her voice, the power of her words, and her unique ability to interpret the work of others. Golden Apples of the Sun is Herring’s fourth release, and like each of its ... Full Story »

By Alan Friedman Girls went head to head in an inflatable tub of chocolate pudding at Twisted Taco on Nov. 25. The guys in the crowd could not have been happier to witness the pudding wrestling phenomenon. (Photos by Alan Friedman) ... Full Story »

By Perry Julien Miley Cyrus entertained the young girls of Atlanta at Philips Arena on Nov. 29.(Photos by Perry Julien) ... Full Story »

By Dustin Chambers Atlanta-based Hosea Feed the Hungry held its 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Festival of Services. Approximately 30,000 working poor and homeless enjoyed a hot, home-cooked meal and more at Turner Field and through home deliveries on Thanksgiving Day. (Photos by Dustin Chambers)... Full Story »

By Jennifer Zyman CACAO LABORATOIRE DU CHOCOLAT AND BOUTIQUE: Kristen Hard's tiny Inman Park mecca to all things chocolate is one of our city's sweet gems. Among the many bean-to-bar offerings, Hard serves her signature Aztec Aphrodisia Sipping Chocolate. The hot chocolate is made in-house from dark chocolate (about 72 percent to 75 percent) with six different spices. The thick and slightly ... Full Story »

Plus, a visit to the new Vesuvius... By Cliff Bostock Today's your lucky day. I'm inviting you to invest in the development and marketing of a new bottled product that will revolutionize cooking. I call it "Bark 'n' Char." If you're a foodie, both these words have entered your vocabulary with a vengeance in recent months. "Char" specifically refers to the blackened patches on pizza crust, while ... Full Story »

Delicious vegetarian Buddhism in Sandy Springs... By Jennifer Zyman When David Sweeney opened Dynamic Dish on Edgewood Avenue, the gifted chef's creative dishes and pristine presentation showed Atlanta that vegetarian food doesn't have to be boring or bland. World Peace Café (220 Hammond Drive, Sandy Springs, 404-256-2100, www.worldpeacecafeatlanta.com) isn't your ... Full Story »

Music Maker... By Chad Radford Mudcat is one of the few blues musicians of the decade who actually understands the art of subtlety and innuendo. The loose, ramshackle pace and homespun sound of Freedom Creek comes together with humid and comedic restraint that plays a vital role in making the simple melodies and lonely horn honks of “San Antone” and “Empty Room Blues” so catchy. Of course, an ... Full Story »

E1... By Ben Westhoff Juvenile’s descent has been heartbreaking. From selling 4 million copies of 400 Degreez to falling out with Cash Money, he has gone from the king of New Orleans rap to an artist who barely registers. Part of the problem is his own failure to stay relevant; his last album, Reality Check, failed to comment expansively on Katrina, and his latest, Cocky & Confident, doesn’t ... Full Story »

Top Chef finalist comes into his own... By Besha Rodell On a random Tuesday evening, Woodfire Grill's foyer is packed with people. The hostess is trying to deal with the waves of customers entering the space between the bar and the door to the dining room. With a tight but professional smile, she explains, "We are totally booked until 9:30. I already have three couples waiting for a spot at the ... Full Story »

Gaiman speaks and signs books Dec. 14 at Agnes Scott... By Curt Holman The Walt Disney of our time may be a 49-year-old, scruffy-haired, leather-jacketed Englishman with a horde of followers bedecked in goth garments. Writer Neil Gaiman and his fans might balk at the comparison with the famed, notorious animation mogul, but as cultural forces, the pair has more similarities than you might dream ... Full Story »

Ten Panthers of Kwangtung combines kung fu, Civil Rights and pop culture... By Jeremy Abernathy Through an adventurous combination of kung fu heroism, Civil Rights struggle, pop culture humor, and political self-empowerment, Dawolu Jabari Anderson’s current exhibit at Saltworks Gallery creates a fictional story that’ll make you think twice about real-world history. Ten Panthers of Kwangtung ... Full Story »

Thurs., Dec. 10... By Alicia Wages English writer and television personality NIGELLA LAWSON is known for her relaxed and flirtatious approach to cooking and entertaining, winning her the tongue-in-cheek title "queen of food porn." After gaining popularity with her short-lived television program "Nigella Bites," Lawson went on to author numerous books including the best-selling How to Eat. Now ... Full Story »

Fri., Dec. 11... By Chad Radford Imagine, if you will, a dark and ultra-sultry alliance between the J. Geils Band circa "Freeze Frame," Prince circa Dirty Mind, and Kraftwerk at any point in its career dominating the dance floor of a Manhattan disco club sometime in mid-1980, and you have a working knowledge of GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY's sound. The Austin, Texas, duo of Aaron Behrens and Thomas ... Full Story »

Sat., Dec. 12... By Jessica Hunt In a nod to the anti-high-art spirit that seems to be sweeping though Atlanta's indie-minded galleries, Composition Gallery presents its fourth annual VELCRO SHOW. Measuring no more that 16 inches by 20 inches, each photograph in this pin-up-style show is presented candidly, showcasing the eccentricity and originality of novice and professional shutterbugs alike ... Full Story »

Thurs.-Sun., Dec. 10-13... By Kelly Quimby After fighting off old ladies for the last scarf on the rack and tirelessly wrapping presents until your fingers cramp, little time is left to devote to the arts. Sideways Contemporary Dance Company has the solution. The company's newest production, ONCE UPON A HOLIDAY, mixes one part Alice in Wonderland, one part The Nutcracker, then adds a splash of ... Full Story »