See & Do September 11 2003

Film Festival
?Popcorn required
?The 2003 DOWNSTREAM FILM FESTIVAL SEPT. 12-21 features more than 140 documentary, experimental and narrative shorts and feature films that, taken together, provide a kind of cross-section of the counterculture. Two highlights feature plants as protagonists: the locally produced short musical Petunia, about an old man (Atlanta actor Ted Manson) who thinks his deceased wife (the late Suzi Bass) has returned to him as the title flower; and Christina Spangler’s animated short “Unearthed,” a strangely poignant depiction of a potato that gains mobility and self-awareness. $5 screenings; 10-day pass $75. Decatur Ballroom Plaza, 1121 Commerce Drive, and other venues. 770-998-2288. www.downstreamfest.com.
?-- Curt Holman


Live Music
?Over the hill and into your wallet
?The embodiment of the rock-till-you-drop aesthetic, AEROSMITH and KISS pair big ol’ lips and big ol’ tongue for the past-their-prime tour of the summer. Remember those two people who conceived you? This could be an amazing family bonding experience. But remember: Mom and Dad remember these bands when they weren’t so wrinkly. And makeup can only do so much. $53-$123, 5:30 p.m. (doors). HiFi Buys Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Way. 404-443-5090. www.hob.com.
?-- Nikhil Swaminathan


Theater
?That ’70s show
?Actor’s Express embarks on a new season SEPT. 14 with the Southeastern premiere of BEL CANTO. Set in 1978, the play tells the story of a biracial California 16-year-old who must adjust to life in New England. Marking the Atlanta directorial debut of new artistic director Jasson Minadakis, Bel Canto encompasses sexual discovery, operatic passion, the wonders of magical realism and true love — all in roughly two hours. Expect an intimate coming-of-age experience laced with some quality vocal work. $20.50-$26.75. Through Oct. 14; previews begin Sept. 11. Actor’s Express Theatre, King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St., Suite J-107. 404-607-7469. www.actorsexpress.com.
?-- Steve Yockey


Live Music
?Boys will be boys
?Not since Bob and Doug McKenzie has Canada been the butt of such pointed lunacy. At least that’s what we think WEEN is singing about on its latest release, Quebec. The duo describes the album as a return to the “browner side” (weird, hokey, disturbing, just plain silly) of its outlandish oeuvre, which Ween unleashes on Atlanta SEPT. 13. For 13 years now, Dean and Gene Ween have applied their exceptional command of the studio to just about every guilty pleasure from their sensory-overloaded youth — prog-rock, country, power-pop, dick and crap jokes, various debilitating diseases. That such a willfully strange pair has managed to parlay its particular brand of creative carnage into a successful recording career means there’s still hope for lovable dorks everywhere. $21. 9 p.m. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com.
?-- Hobart Rowland

b>Sept 11 Thursday
?If you missed seeing Mars, there’s another cosmic wonder on the way: Mogwai and its crisp brand of Scottish space rock. The five-piece can come off as a bit abrasive in the media, (maybe it’s because they’re from a country that no one really gives a shit about), but there’s no denying the beauty and hypnotic appeal of their whisper-to-a-scream dynamics. $15, 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. (Andrew Stewart)

Sept 12 Friday
?Our prediction: While the OTP set is rushing the Tabernacle stage at the EVANESCENCE concert, slamming into each other in a desperate attempt to touch lead singer Amy Lee, most of the CL editorial staff will be kickin’ back and grooving in Little Five to the brainy alt-pop of YO LA TENGO. Evanescence: $27.50; 8 p.m.; Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St.; 404-659-9022; www.atlantaconcerts.com. Yo La Tengo: $15; 8:30 p.m.; Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave.; 404-524-7354; www.variety-playhouse.com. (SY)

Sept 13 Saturday
?For their season opener, Robert Spano and the ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA get all bow-crazy on yo’ ass with violinist Pinchas Zukerman tackling renditions of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra. $30-$65. Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. (SY)

Sept 14 Sunday
?Sex sells — even in country music. Following in top-selling artists Shania Twain and Faith Hill’s footsteps, LEANN RIMES has unleashed a new look (again), with more makeup and less clothes. But no matter the couture, the girl can sing. $20, 7 p.m. Wild Bill’s, 2075 Market St. Duluth. 404-249-6400. www.wildbillsatlanta.com. (Heather Kuldell)

Sept 15 Monday
?Any band that takes its name from the classic Brando flick The Wild One can’t be all bad. And in fact, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB is pretty damn good, borrowing plenty from the catchy controlled chaos of U.K. guitar bands while still maintaining its distinctly opportunistic American perspective. They’re dark, sure — but they exude a healthy glow. $13. 9 p.m. Cotton Club, 152 Luckie St. 404-688-1193. www.atlantaconcerts.com. (HR)

Sept 16 Tuesday
?Book Magazine has called KARIN SLAUGHTER “the new face of crime,” which makes her sound a little like a Batman villain. Anyway, the local author kicks off a slew of local signings for her new title, A Faint Cold Fear, another thriller set in rural Georgia. 7 p.m. Chapter 11 Discount Books, Highland Plaza, 3605 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. 770-971-0744. www.chapter11books.com. (Tray Butler)

Sept 17 Wednesday
?99x’s MARGOT hosts ROCKOLOGY TRIVIA, which challenges all the knowledge you’ve accumulated watching “Behind the Music.” And after you’ve scraped all the useless facts from your brain, BITCH and SUCKERPUNCH offer live hard rock. Free. 8 p.m. 9 Lives Saloon, 1174 Euclid Ave. 404-659-7656. www.9livessaloon.com. (HK)