See & Do January 15 2003

Music
?Heavy rotation
?Turntable operator/electronic composer DJ SPOOKY THAT SUBLIMINAL KID has staked his territory in digital culture through hyper-dense, ultra-pretentious theoretical screeds that seem designed only to prove he’s an absolute fucking genius (if they were at all discernable). Unfortunately, his previous recorded output hasn’t quite delivered soundscapes that measure up to his lofty words. Not so his latest disc, Optometry, which finds Spooky cutting, mixing and playing along to source material from acclaimed jazzers Matthew Shipp, William Parker, Joe McPhee and others. JAN. 17, Spooky brings his Optometry Project to town, featuring longtime Herbie Hancock drummer Mike Clark. Having the good taste to surround himself with people who spend more energy making great music than dissecting it into oblivion, Spooky delivers his best record — and quite likely, live show — yet. $15. 9 p.m. Echo Lounge, 551 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-681-3600. www.echostatic.com/echolounge.
-- Roni Sarig

b>Performance
?No monking around
?For centuries, the SHAOLIN MONKS have practiced the martial arts as part of their Buddhist beliefs. Known as the originators of kung fu, they act out crucial moments in their long history in Wheel of Life JAN. 17. The story, which focuses on the monks’ struggles to establish and protect their temple, is filled with various feats of physical prowess, theatrics and traditional storytelling. $25-$45. 8 p.m. Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. 404-249-6400. <a href?=”http://www.wheeloflife.co.uk”target=”new”>www.wheeloflife.co.uk.
-- Jerry Portwood


/b>?Holiday
?King and I
?Hometown hero MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. would be 73 this week. To celebrate, Atlanta plays host to a wide range of activities embracing the man and his monumental legacy. Here’s an overview of the more noteworthy events. For a complete list, see Happenings.

- Georgia Perimeter College’s MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION takes place JAN. 15, King’s birthday. The event features keynote addresses from Rep. John Lewis and actress Phylicia Rashad (“The Cosby Show”). The celebration includes performances by the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra, Firebrand Youth Choir and Ray of Hope’s 2:9 Choir. Free. 7 p.m. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. 404-244-5033.

- JAN. 17, ASO Music Director Robert Spano leads the concert A KING CELEBRATION, which features the orchestra, WSB-TV’s Monica Kaufman as narrator, and members of the ASO chorus and Spelman and Morehouse glee clubs. Broadcast nationally on over 250 public radio stations nationwide, the program features two movements of Mozart’s Requiem, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 and Undine Moore Smith’s Scenes From the Life of a Martyr. $7-$25. 8 p.m. Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org.

- Hands On Atlanta presents its 10th annual MLK SERVICE SUMMIT JAN. 18-20. The event begins with a rally Saturday in the King Historic District, followed by workshops addressing various aspects of the Civil Rights Movement with high-profile speakers such as Dr. Johnetta Cole and Coretta Scott King. At 2 p.m., the Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta presents a theatrical performance. Sunday features bus tours of Civil Rights landmarks, a dance performance by Moving in the Spirit and a screening of A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is your chance to volunteer at various service projects around the city. Free. Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave. Sun. noon-5 p.m.; The King Center, 449 Auburn Ave. Monday service projects 9 a.m.-1 p.m. citywide. 404-879-2717. www.handsonatlanta.com/mlk.

- The Southern Christian Leadership Conference/Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now forwards King’s principles of nonviolence with the MLK MARCH and AFRICAN-AMERICAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL JAN. 17-20. Conferences include Friday’s “Crisis: HIV/AIDS in Africa and African-American Communities,” which features former Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Edler, and Saturday’s “Stop the Violence” Youth Conference. On Monday, celebrate King’s birthday with a nonviolent march and rally at the King Center. Free. Fri. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ACET Building, 818 Pollard Blvd. Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MLK Recreation Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave. 404-584-0303.
-- JP