See & Do July 07 2005

Fight
Geezer bout
Some things get better with age, like cheese, fine wine and Paula Abdul. Now, thanks to the anniversary of FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, we’re also about to find out whether ultimate fighters improve with the passage of time. Skip Hall, 60, (left) the oldest known mixed martial arts fighter in the world, takes on 44-year-old Tony Ross in the “Battle of the Ages” July 8 at EarthLink Live. The cheap seats are already gone and the event is expected to sell out, so get your tickets now. $50-$100. 7 p.m. 1374 W. Peachtree St. 404-885-1365. www.undisputedproductions.com.?
—Coley Ward?

Music
And the winner is ...
A few years ago, Atlanta had two free, rock-centric summer music series: On the Bricks and Downtown Rocks. This year, there’s only one: DOWNTOWN ROCKS AT UNDERGROUND, kicking off JULY 9 with the deadpan vocals of Cake (left) along with the U.K.’s Stereophonics, Sweden’s Caesars and Atlanta’s Trances Arc. Every Saturday, 99X unleashes “everything alternative” at the intersection of Upper Alabama and Pryor streets with after-parties in Kenny’s Alley, which are all conveniently located near the Five Points MARTA station. Technically, the shows are free only if you have a Freeloader card, and you can sign up for one at www.99x.com. 7-11 p.m. Continues through Aug. 13. Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St.?
—Heather Kuldell?

Theater
Mood indigo
A mysterious jazz vocalist (played by Freddie Hendricks) provides a haunting soundtrack to a family-run African-American funeral home in small-town South Carolina in Blue, opening at Horizon Theatre July 8. Rhythm & Blues Hall of Famer Nona Hendryx composed the music to the dysfunctional family play, which combines family secrets, drama and laughs. $20-$30. Through Aug. 7. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m. 404-584-7450. www.horizontheatre.com.?
—Curt Holman?

Art
Sex machines
Like abstract expressionism in the hands of the folks at Wired, Brooklyn artist [dNASAb]’s work expresses the contemporary sensation of drowning in circuitry. Be very afraid of the suffocating coils of synthetic colors and spaghetti-like tangles of what could be computer circuit boards or a diagram of Bill Gates’ brain. The artist calls it “communication graffiti.” Closing JULY 9, THE OBSCURE SEXUAL HABITS OF WIRELESS DATA - [dNASAb]’s solo show of photography, sculpture and drawing - offers a glimpse of what paranoid techies have on their minds. Free. Tues.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Romo Gallery, 309 Peters St. 404-222-9955. www.romogallery.com.?
—Felicia Feaster?


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July 7 Thursday
Get ready to sleep with the lights on for the rest of the summer because “heeeeere’s Johnny!” Stanley Kubrick’s classic horror film The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson, lights up the big screen at the Fox Theatre tonight as part of Coca-Cola’s 2005 Summer Film Festival. $7. 8 p.m. 660 Peachtree St. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org. (Casey McIntyre)

July 8 Friday
The last time DINOSAUR JR.’s original lineup played, the show ended with a brawl between Lou Barlow (bass) and J. Mascis (guitar/vocals). Fifteen years later and reunited with Murph (drums), the trio returns to reclaim the throne as the loudest indie-rock band. This time out, the group is only playing material from its first three records that were recently reissued: Dinosaur, You’re Living All Over Me and Bug. See Vibes, p. 93. $28.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. (Chad Radford)

July 9 Saturday
Our Dirty Looks advisory panel says to leave those SpongeBob pajamas under your pillow and choose some sexier sleepwear for Passion & Poetry 6, a pajama party hosted by V-103’s Joyce Littel. Naughty Atlanta-born R&B act SILK, dirty bards Indigo and Bo Ellis, and other poets and spoken word artists are going to keep the A/C struggling all night. $25. 8 p.m. EarthLink Live, 1374 W. Peachtree St. 404-343-6205. www.littelconcepts.net. (Thomas Bell)

July 10 Sunday
Chances are you’ll recognize actor Leslie Jordan, even if you can’t quite place which of his numerous television and film appearances you remember him from. There isn’t much time left to catch his one-man show Like a dog on linoleum. With searing wit, the performance tackles Jordan’s personal experiences growing up gay in the South with a soldier father, his first crushes, 20 years of substance abuse and other fun, lighthearted topics. $40-$50. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Through July 17. 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th St. 404-733-5000. www.brotherboy.com. (Layla Bellows)

July 11 Monday
Pop quiz: In what city is the world’s largest oil painting located? If you’re surprised to find out that it’s right here in the dirty South, then you’ve never been to the Atlanta Cyclorama. The 358-foot-long cylindrical painting tells the story of the Civil War’s Battle of Atlanta, a major skirmish of which, incidentally, began near the intersection of Flat Shoals and Glenwood avenues in East Atlanta. And you thought the city had no history. $5-$7. Daily, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 800 Cherokee Ave. 404-658-7625. (Andrew Simon)

July 12 Tuesday
Cathy Rigby appears to have been the only Olympic gymnast to figure out that when attached to strings, it’s possible to stay in the air much, much longer. She’s been putting her discovery to good use for the last 30 years as the title character in Peter Pan. Tonight, Theater of the Stars brings Rigby to the Fox for a round of performances that mark the actress’s farewell tour. $20-$59. Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Through July 17. 660 Peachtree St. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org. (AS)

July 13 Wednesday
Today kicks off a week-long exhibition of work created by young artists who have taken part in the African Children’s Art Project. Developed by local gallery owner Mark Karelson, the program provides art classes and supplies as well as meals to orphaned children in Kenya. The colorful work is available for purchase, with prices hovering at $25. Proceeds benefit the organization. Through July 20. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Paces 325, 325 E. Paces Ferry Road. 404-846-8844. www.africanchildrensart.com.’’ (CM)

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