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.

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 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.

Rachael Rene picks again the fun things to do next week – December 21th to 27th. Not only her picks are the funnest but she always managed to find those free entry to hours of live music deals, $5 bargains, etc. Don’t miss her suggestions every week. Hot Jam’s Swing Dance, Atomic Rockets and Psycho Devilles at The Red Light Café, The Soul Shakers at Blind Willie’s, Day Before Christmas Eve Jam at The Five Spot, Cavalia in Atlantic Station, Matzo Ball at Halo Lounge, Dan Mengini at The Laughing Skull Lounge.

By Karina Daniel. Everybody wants to spend their vacation at a place that offers a lot of worthwhile events and activities. To really enjoy, you should be at the right place at the right time. Since there are a lot of holiday destinations around the world, you should be able to point out where you want to go. Why look any further when U.S.A alone is enough to offer you everything you’re looking for in a perfect holiday.

By Rosey Sumrall. There is a new kind of music seeping into the streets of Atlanta. It is new, but familiar. It is simultaneously rebellious, emotional, and sexual; something that grabs onto your collar, pulling you into what feels like a music video and leaving you wanting more.