By Audra Biddle. Houston Perry wanted to spoof the 1970’s London punk scene, and what resulted is hardly a laughing matter. The Bloodplums are to be taken very seriously. Featuring members of Atlanta’s own hip-hop/funk band, Heavy Mojo, The Bloodplums formed just two years ago and have already developed a sizable following. These guys are slowly sneaking through the back door of our city’s indie/punk scene and stealing the show at staple venues such as Lenny’s, where they most recently played, and Andrews Upstairs, where you can catch their next show.

By Summer Stanley. Everybody knows you have to belt the blues. And when the lights grow dimmer, and the mood becomes softer, you have to croon them. Sue G. Wilkinson, along with her eight member band gets you high when you feel low, and when you’re low they get down with you.

A veteran musician, Sue G. Wilkinson tackles the keys at the Five Spot in a rousing performance, with a spunk equal to any barroom brawl. But the Five Spot is no saloon, and this band is far from dive-ey. Rather, they’re lively. When joined with the bass, guitar, drums, trumpet, saxophone, not to mention the diva-licious backup babes, The Sue G. Wilkinson Band is an experience in jumpin’ and jivin’.

By Jacqueline Bartelmo. The day before the Atlanta Thrashers made their first pick of 2001, a young Russian player declared his career goal “to be the greatest Russian hockey player ever.” Ilya Kovalchuk’s remark showed a great deal of confidence in himself. This assertiveness is what got the attention of the Atlanta Thrashers. Kovy, as he is known to Thrasher fans, is ranked 10th in the entire NHL; so far this season he has scored 15 goals and 10 assists in only 18 games. His average so far this season is 23.1%, meaning he scores nearly one of every four shots. The Thrashers’ captain is clearly proving himself as a key component to the team’s success.

By Rachael Rene. Entertainment ideas for the week in Atlanta: Dialogue in the Dark at the Atlantic Station Exhibition Center, Dweezil Zappa at the Variety Playhouse, Open Mic at Meehan’s Public House, American Idol Viewing Party at the W Hotel, “A Sunday Afternoon at Loehmann’s” at The Ansley Park Playhouse, etc., etc.

By Dee Corley. “I have so many ideas in my head I don’t know where to start”, she said as we looked at the collection of used wood pieces of furniture, shelves, plaques and the like stacked in a corner of her garage. End tables, night stands and a dresser that needed a little TLC before the first coat of paint could be applied, and she does all of the wood repair herself. Nearly every piece was a cast off, found at a yard sale, by the side of the road or on Craigslist, just waiting for the new found personality she would give each one with her acrylic paints and imagination. Some items are new, like plaques and corner tables.

By Rachael Rene. When hunger strikes in the late hours of the night, you have a few choices of places to eat at in Atlanta. At 3:00 a.m. your choices usually include: Waffle House, IHOP, and McDonalds. After a possibly long night, coming to these few places may not be your first choice. These choices may not be seen by everybody as very healthy, full of quality, and may not be the tastiest ones either. If only there was a more appealing options. Off Peachtree Road a unique restaurant by the name of R Thomas Deluxe Grill is present.

By Dee Corley. Eight O’clock on Sunday night, I sat with a group at The Punchline for my first time. It’s a small, comfortable place in a quaint little strip mall type setting, centered amongst a group of establishments that are specifically there for a fun night out. The neon sign above the door that portrays Groucho Marx is very welcoming and so fitting. The people who work there made us feel welcome from the time we walked in the door.

By Summer Stanley. Call me Ebeneezer Scrooge, but this particular holiday not even Mariah Carey’s Christmas album on loop was contagious enough for this grinch to catch the merry bug buzzing around the block. Vagina Jenkins, Atlanta’s premiere prima donna and Creative Loafing’s “Best Burlesque Dancer” finally launched me into the spirit of the season. The Big Freeze: A Holiday Spectacular, starring the Lady Miss Jenkins herself and local playwright Johnny Drago, is a blitz (bling+glitz) of local talent at the Eyedrum, the non-profit performance art space located just south of downtown.

By Rachael Rene. Start year 2010 with some great ideas for fun things to do in Atlanta. Ghosts of Atlanta Walking Tour, Hip Hop Jam Session at the Apache Café, free salsa lessons, live salsa and meringue music, Downtown Artswalk, Christian Finnegan at The Punchline, Dweezil Zappa at the Variety Playhouse, etc.

By Summer Stanley. Kudos to Author’s Apology, truly a band of bleeding hearts, for displaying good form and sweeping their opening act last Tuesday. Aside from the emo blend and sappy sound, the songs resemble more a prayer booth confession than an apology. Nevertheless, the boys deserve praise for their enthusiastic performance and their oft-expressed gratitude for sharing the stage with such esteemed acts as forgetters and Gentlemen Jesse and His Men.