An Interview by Nikki D. Bosompem. Atlanta native Laurah Norton Raines is pretty busy these days. Having achieved such accomplishments as writer, teacher, as well founder/editor of her own on-line literary magazine to boot, it is a wonder that she has the time to write such compelling, award winning short stories, such as Old Scratch and Medicine. Both of these stories won first place in the Creative Loafing fiction contest ... more ...

Moscow Festival Ballet, Tegan and Sara at The Variety Playhouse, Universoul Circus, Diana: A Celebration, at the Atlanta Civic Center, RuChDa Winetasting and 21 Flavors of Wings, Jay Z with Young Jeezy at Phillips Arena, and more ... more ...

By Dee Corley. Orchid Daze: Tower of Flowers at Atlanta Botanical Gardens, The Greatest Show on Earth: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, Choose a Magical Night for Your Valentines Day at The Mansion on Peachtree, Mardi Gras Madness at Serpas Restaurant, Victory Beer Tasting fun at Octane Coffee Bar and Lounge, Enjoy a Night of Laughs at The Punchline Comedy Show, Donnell Rawlkings at the Laughing Skull Lounge, Nigel Dupree with Breaking Vegas and Citizen Icon at The Hard Rock Café, The Larry Griffith Band at Beluga Martini Bar, Last Comic Standing Winner Josh Blue at the Punchline. ... more ...

By Summer Stanley. Whether you are heading to a metal show at Lenny’s or to the bottom of a pitcher at 97 Estoria, chances are you will pass through the Krog Street Tunnel. Intersecting Dekalb Avenue and Wylie Street, the graffiti-blanketed tunnel conjoins more than Cabbagetown and Inman Park. From the humblest tag – an artist’s signature, to intricate pieces – in the sense of slang for masterpieces – the tunnel is a cultural hub. Along with its 4 and ½ star ranking on yelp.com, the tunnel has that other factor which makes something a place: pathos. ... more ...

By Summer Stanley. She’s the ultimate diva, the reigning queen of the happily-ever-after love song, Eminem’s recent arch-nemesis, cougar, frequenter of the A-town clubs, close friend of our own artist, Jermaine Dupri. Though her movie, Glitter, flopped, her far less glamorous performance as a social worker in Precious is now raking in critical acclaim. Like the jewels ornamenting her flossy frocks, Mariah Carey just keeps getting better with time. ... more ...

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. ... more ...

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. ... more ...

By Josh Fritz. So, the holiday season is drawing to a close and there isn’t anything more to do but to wait until the new year and the fresh starts that it brings. Family is most likely still in town and you’re not really sure what to do, since most of them don’t even really want to be here anymore. Well, Rock 100.5 is bringing Drivin’ ‘N’ Cryin’ to The Tabernacle on the day after Christmas. ... more ...

By Josh Fritz. This past weekend, there were a slew of art and photo shows, but only a handful of them were recent graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design. In Atlantic Station, taking over the former location of Chaplins, Jennifer Hope Jacoby had her first photo show. Ten photos adorned the walls, each of them had a phone number beneath them and a stop number included. When one dialed the number and entered the stop number, the subject of the picture spoke a thousand words about themselves. ... more ...

By K. Nola Mokeyane. Thanksgiving holiday was the catalyst for many locals and visitors’ desire to check out what the city of Atlanta’s nightlife potentially had to offer, but unfortunately many were not privy to the exuberant musical performance of Citizen Icon live at Vinyl. This independent rock band, consisting of four musicians right out of Atlanta, Ga., introduced a handful of newcomers to the chemistry they share ... more ...