See & Do June 26 2003
Better than digital cable
Festival
Rainbow brigade
It’s that time of year again. You know, when guys in Speedos walk proudly down Peachtree, women bare their breasts in leather harnesses, and lots and lots of people get freaky in dresses and wigs — proudly, of course. Yep, it’s time for the annual ATLANTA PRIDE FESTIVAL JUNE 27-29 (See That’s s-o-o-o gay!). It’s where you’ll find the gayest accessory for your home and a complete line of lube in various sizes and flavors, among other marketplace goodies. And be sure to show up for Raven’s crowd-pleasing Starlight Cabaret. Just remember, it’s OK as long as you do it with pride. Free. Fri. 6-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m.; Sun. 1-11 p.m. Parade begins Sun. at 1 p.m. Marketplace and music at Piedmont Park. www.atlantapride.org.
-- Jerry Portwood
Live Music
Meat on a stick
Get ready for CORNDOG*O*RAMA IX: THE PREQORN JUNE 27-28. The annual festival features local bands, stunts and more. It’s like the Moon Pie Festival, except with corndogs, and without all the rednecks and rabbits. The music lineup features over 30 bands, including the Subsonics, Paper Lions and American Dream. Out front, a mish-mash of DJs, games (Who’s the fastest person in flip-flops?), crafts and food are offered (see Vibes). This year, somebody’s gotta break the corndog-eating record — a paltry 11 battered dogs in five minutes. Warning: Eating too many corndogs can cause hallucinations. $5 a day. Fri. 6 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sat. noon-3 a.m. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.
-- Andrew Stewart
Martial Arts
Weekend warriors
OK, so these guys could kick, scare and/or punch the crap out of you. But the CULTURAL FESTIVAL EXPO AND ART OF WAR CHAMPONSHIPS isn’t just about brawn. Don’t get us wrong — there will be plenty of kickboxing and martial arts to be had, with title fights featuring 300 “warriors” from around the world. But the three-day event JUNE 26-29 also features the Beijing Opera, Chinese acrobats, music and dance performances. But if it’s an ass-kicking you want, that’s fine too. $20-$100. Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park. 404-249-6400.
-- JP
b>June 26 Thursday
?The Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta has banked its reputation on the original dance, theater and vocal performance SOWETO, SOWETO, SOWETO ... A TOWNSHIP IS CALLING. This renowned group revives its musical drama about apartheid-era South Africa for one weekend only. $15-$20. Thurs. 1 and 8 p.m.; Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun. 5 p.m. Ferst Center, 349 Ferst Drive. 404-894-4600. www.fhyea.org. (JP)
June 27 Friday
GNOSIS premieres The Crossing, a mixture of aerial and earthbound dance, video and still-image projections (see <a href=”http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2003-06-26/arts_dance.html” target=”_blank”target+”new”>Arts). But don’t think that’s all you get. This freaky performance/dance event also includes guerilla performance theater, music by Z-Axis and multimedia video projects. $10-$15. Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 5 p.m. 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave. 404-523-7647. www.gnosisarts.org. (JP)
June 28 Saturday
The DAHLONEGA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL makes another cinematic gold rush to the mountains north of the city, offering a program of 188 narrative, documentary, animated and experimental features and shorts from 26 countries. Documentary highlights include the quirky slice-of-life Greater Southbridge and the politically pointed Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election. Screenings $5 each. June 26-29. The Holly Theater, 69 West Main St., Dahlonega, and other venues. 404-433-0026. www.diff.tv. (Curt Holman)
June 29 Sunday
?If you haven’t gotten your fill of the play, follow HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH as it leaves Dwayne’s Range (at Actor’s Express) and strikes out across the city. Band members improvise their own stuff, perform songs from the show and even offer a few covers, including a special version of “Harper Valley PTA.” $3. 10 p.m. Star Bar, 437 Moreland Ave. 404-681-9018. www.actors-express.com. (JP)
June 30 Monday
?Fly-By Theatre and Duende Dance Theater join forces for ON THE FLY, which premieres tonight. Physical performance techniques are showcased in a series of dance, poetry and comedy vignettes. Donations accepted. 8 p.m. Mondays through July 28. Emory University’s Burlington Road Building, 1804 N. Decatur Road. 404-499-8354. www.flybytheatre.org. (JP)
July 1 Tuesday
?The hippest place OTP, Club Illusions kicks off SPORADIC SOULS, a night of spoken word, open-mic poetry, and music, performance art, comedy and live music. $7. 8 p.m. Club Illusions, 2000 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta. 678-698-7415. (JP)
July 2 Wednesday
?It’s time to show the JAYHAWKS (see Vibes) some love, folks. Five major-label albums and not a lemon in the bunch. And while their latest, Rainy Day Music, may not be their best, it does mark a welcome return to the rough-hewn gentility the band ditched for the lush pop-rock sweep of 2000’s Smile. Ambition is nice, but we like our Jayhawks simple and honest, thank you. With the Thorns and Carla Werner. $22.50. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. (Hobart Rowland)