By Summer Stanley. Thieves’ final performance and CD release party was at Kavarna Coffee Shop in Oakhurst [editor: area in Atlanta, GA] on Friday, January 15, 2009. The all-girl group, comprised of Jessie Calmes on vocals and guitar, Meta Gary on violin and vocals, Rene Lambert on bass and mandolin, and Khalilah Karim on backup vocals and accordion have come a long way to develop their sound of lilting, poetic folk. Directly after the post-show cigarette break, I gathered the band for some giggle-ridden girl talk, where they recalled their worst show ever, performing with the legendary Desk Ark, as well as a possible comeback.

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’.

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 Madison Massey. Don’t let the title of this one fool you. He does do weddings, he is all Greek, but the man is definitely easy on the eyes! Constantine Varazo is a triple threat working the Atlanta entertainment circuit. An accomplished actor, model, and singer, Varazo relocated to our city from Pensacola, Florida in 2002 to polish his acting focus. However, he came to find himself submerged in this city’s popular independent

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.

By Gus Fernandez. 529 in East Atlanta hosted our own Subsonics last Saturday. I’d been personally counting down the days until this show when I found out it was happening. Subsonics seem to have been playing in Atlanta for an eternity, their first release dating back to a seven inch from back in 1993. Clay Reed, brains behind the outfit, has been

By Gus Fernandez. I woke up last week in a hurry, late for class. In a hasty search for my keys in the living room I found a stranger on my couch, just stirring from a night’s rest. One good-morning-nod later, I had moved my search into the kitchen, where another stranger was rolling up her sleeping bag. I had to wait to brush my teeth too, because someone was in my bathroom.

By Melissa Pulsifer. The ‘piano men’ are set to share the stage again for a two-year world tour.

Two of the world’s greatest musicians, songwriters and entertainers are back on tour! Elton John & Billy Joel’s Face 2 Face tour, named the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop history, is reuniting this March for a series of shows through 2009 and 2010.

The two piano men first toured together in 1994, and then again in 2003, where they saw a string of 24-dates sell out immediately. With a mutual admiration for each other, it’s clear to see why these two legends are able to share the stage.

By Julian Bryce. When one thinks of city life, local festivals may not be the first things that come to mind. However, Atlanta is full of local community festivals and events that provide cultural and educational opportunities as well as inexpensive entertainment options for all ages.