Talk of the Town - Week at a Glance April 15 2000
Events
One of the spring social and sporting events of the year, the 35th annual Atlanta Steeplechase, serves up an afternoon of mint juleps and thoroughbred races April 15. Pre-race activities begin at 10 a.m. with pig races, pony rides, skydivers and the traditional Parade of the Shamrock Hounds. $23. Kingston Downs, Hwy. 411 between Cartersville and Rome. Call 404-237-7436 for information.
Festivals
Bid adieu to the raucous revelry of Freakniks past, because the cruising and boozing days are over. Instead, the socially conscious and politically aware (and those who couldn’t afford a trip to Cancun) converge in Atlanta for the Black College Unity Fest, a three-day festival featuring a gospel jam, sports carnival, health fair, census exhibit, job fair, technology expo and more April 14-16. Sweet Auburn Avenue. Call 404-523-2656 for information.
Performance
Freaky is as freaky does. The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus visits Variety Playhouse April 13 with a full evening of vaudeville variety side shows including a sword swallower, human blockhead, fire-eating duo, human cannonball and plate spinners like you’ve never seen before. The literary maven will also be on hand with the Autonomadic Bookmobile featuring a grand selection of subversion and perversion from many small-press publications. Show starts at 9 p.m. $15 or $12 for clowns in full make-up. 1099 Euclid Ave. Call 404-521-1786 for information.
For the insatiable observer, Somber Reptile presents Fifi’s Follies, a variety showcase serving up spicy food and hot women sure to keep your mouth watering. This old-style burlesque show includes musical numbers, comedy skits, old-fashioned strip teases and more April 19 with performances by Atlanta-area dancers, comedians, jugglers, magicians, musicians and actors. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. $6. 842 Marietta St. Call 404-881-9701 for information.
Music
As part of Emory University’s NextFest series, acclaimed composer and musician Philip Glass performs new arrangements in a solo piano concert April 15. The program includes Four Metamorphoses, Mad Rush and The Screens. 8:15 p.m. $25. Performing Arts Studio, Emory University, 1804 N. Decatur Road. Call 404-727-5050 for information.
The Atlanta College of Art presents an electracoustic/mulitmedia sound concert April 16 at 7 p.m. Composer and acoustic theorist Pauline Oliveros joins musicians Dick Robinson, Peer Bode and Andrew Deutsch in a concert using a “Chaos Machine,” Vocoder and video tapes, Expanded Instrument System and Data Sets to create sounds ranging from ambient tones to total noise. $3-$5. Hill Auditorium, High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. Call 404-733-5008 for information.
Philips Arena treats you to a week of rock ‘n’ roll greatness beginning April 12 with a performance by the legendary soul goddess Tina Turner, accompanied by Lionel Richie and Janice Robinson. 7:30 p.m. $35-$79. For a tasty treat, check out Korn April 13 with cohorts Staind and Mindless Self Indulgence. 7:30 p.m. $29.50. Finish off the week with a bit of tongue and groove when KISS takes the stage with Ted Nugent and Skid Row April 15. 7 p.m. $47-$67. 100 Techwood Drive. Call 404-249-6400 for information.
Comedy
All of you Comedy Central junkies can get your fix April 18-19 when Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson, aka The Kids in the Hall, appear live at the Tabernacle. 8 p.m. $47.50. 152 Luckie St. Call 404-249-6400 for information.
Lecture
Former First Lady Barbara Bush speaks on life after the White House; the importance of family, faith and friends; and her plight to end illiteracy April 18 as part of the Unique Lives & Experiences lecture series. 7:30 p.m. $30-$50. Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. Call 404-817-8700 for information.