Music schedule for the Atlanta Pride Celebration
Fri., June 25
Coca-Cola Stage
5 p.m. House music
8 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra — Free concert as part of the Atlanta Pride Celebration featuring music by Copland, Bernstein, Higdon, de Falla and Tchaikovsky. (Gresham)
Sat., June 26
Coca-Cola Stage
12:30 p.m., Miss Nova
1:15 p.m. Modern Marriage — A thoroughly modern take on the blessed union of direct and mysterious delivery, presented in a no-frills ceremony. The band describes its sound as a wedding of Aimee Mann and Polly Jean Harvey, and the title of its recent album, Happy, But It Wanes, speaks volumes about its winsome yet melancholy sound. (Smith)
2 p.m. Bari
2:45 p.m. Crystal Clear Band
3:30 p.m. Delancey Street Band
4:15 p.m. Happy Charles
5 p.m. Demizes
5:45 p.m. Kristy Lee — Originally from Bay Minette, Ala., Lee transcends barriers within the often limiting singer/songwriter genre. Her mix of folk, rock and soul is filtered through a love for a wide variety of styles, including classic soul and country, resulting in a refreshingly original blend. (Smith)
6:30 p.m. DuVal & AveMaria
7:30 p.m. Doria Roberts — A searing sunset performance of intense, incendiary and eloquently literate folk and soul from one of Atlanta’s busiest and brightest artists. While also internationally known as an activist and educator, Roberts’ finest work is her intimate yet communal rapport with — and command of — an audience. (Smith)
8:30 p.m. Janis Ian — Although her commercial salad days may be in the past, Ian remains a prolific and creative artist whose jazzy folk and poignant, literary lyrics remain as edgy and affecting as on her biggest hit, “At Seventeen.” The recently released Billie’s Bones is an undiscovered gem featuring Ian’s dusky, burnished, dark chocolate vocals combined with some of her most affecting material ever. (Horowitz)
9:30 p.m. Dr. Draw
Washington Mutual Acoustic Stage
11 a.m. Bugaboos
12:30 p.m. Vicki Genfan — New Jersey-based instrumentalist Genfan takes a decidedly hands-on approach to her guitar playing. The internationally known musician specializes in two-handed tapping, unique harmonics and funky slapping techniques, all delivered with a shimmering, crystalline sparkle. (Smith)
1:15 p.m. Jean Spencer — Athens-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Spencer is often compared to Lucinda Williams or Bonnie Raitt, but the plaintive folk-rocker has a distinctive style all her own. With liberal doses of refreshingly good humor and excellent songs, Spencer’s charm should quell the midday heat. (Smith)
2 p.m. Malika — Malika presides over her Black Goddess Records with an all-knowing benevolence. This diligent musician and spoken-word artist defies limiting categorization and commercialization, harmoniously merging outspoken demands with universal challenges. (Smith)
2:45 p.m. Daemon Records Artists Review — A mini-variety show presented by the Daemon Records wizards. Sirius OutQ Radio’s Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson of “The Derek and Romaine Show” host performances by Molly Bancroft (2:45 p.m.); My Siamese Self, a new punk power trio featuring Stacey Singer, Deb Davis (Hope For Agoldensummer) and Kat Riederich (Jane West and the Lone Star Impalas) (3:25 p.m.); Athens Boys Choir (4:05 p.m.); and Paul Melancon (4:45 p.m.). Who needs Ed Sullivan? This spot has everything but those darn plate spinners, and maybe Melancon will do that. Ya never know. (Smith)
5:30 p.m. DrumSista (ZAMI’s performance group for lesbians of color)
6 p.m. Wayne Fishell — The titular leader of the Wayne Fishell Experiment sings frank songs about being gay. But what else could you expect from a self-described “gay-acoustic-folk-pop” artist. Expect songs from Fishell’s album Going Down and perhaps an appearance from percussionist Big Peaches. (Smith)
6:45 p.m. Mark Scott
7:30 p.m. Chasemissy — Chase Gibson and Missy Speer comprise Chasemissy, an acoustic Americana melange of folk, rock and country with a dizzy salad of influences that slices and dices everyone from Woody Guthrie to Bon Jovi to Buddy and Julie Miller. (Smith)
Sun., June 27
Coca-Cola Stage
noon House music
1:30 p.m. Jazzmatic
2:15 p.m. Taffether — Taffether (pronounced TA’-fe-ter) is an Atlanta native who has founded her own record label (Matriarch Records) and her own publishing company (GoddessVibes) to distribute her self-described “soulful-eclectic-pop” music that took second place in the 2002 Open Mic Madness at Smith’s Olde Bar. (Smith)
2:55 p.m. Atlanta Feminist Women’s Chorus
3:30 p.m. Mark Weigle
4:15 p.m. Heidi Hensley Band — Athens singer/songwriter Hensley’s website describes the pixie-ish pop-folker as “Ani DiFranco meets Gwen Stefani meets Joni Mitchell.” Indeed, her songs are a catchy and often potent combination of modern rock and classic folk. (Smith)
5 p.m. Three5Human — An amalgamation of molten and muscular musical madness featuring Trina Meade, the emotive mistress of funky rock and roll on vocals, and busy session guitarist Tomi Martin (Madonna, TLC). This is a hectic weekend for the Humans. They’ll open the show for Indigo Girls on Saturday and Sunday at Chastain, and then wedge this performance in between. (Smith)
5:45 p.m. Steff Mahan
6:35 p.m. Lisa Jackson & Girl Friday
7:30 p.m. Michel Jons
8:30 p.m. Starlight Cabaret (drag show)
Washington Mutual Acoustic Stage
2:45 p.m. The Woman’s World and NghosiBooks.com literary event
5:45 p.m. Robin Leigh — Leigh rocks the folk outta her electric/acoustic guitar, melding her smoldering sensuality with a light and breezy populism. A divine collision of the spiritual sass of Melissa Etheridge and the raw ’70s earthiness of Sheryl Crow, crowned with plenty of memorable hooks. (Smith)
6:30 p.m. Little Country Giants
Contributors: Mark Gresham, Hal Horowitz, Lee Smith