Redeye - Slice of Life June 22 2005
On Sat., June 18, I stopped by Slice pizza parlor and lounge in Castleberry Hill for two reasons: I was invited out by Don Tonic, who performs at and curates the Saturday night DJ lineup (featuring J-Luv, Cozy Shawn, Swivel and many others); and also because I luv alliteration. I mean, where else was I going to get the opportunity to rattle off about people enjoying margaritas, martinis and marinara; calzones and cocktails; or house music and house salads.
But seriously, I'm happy to see Slice doing well. I remember almost seven years ago when Castleberry wasn't nearly as developed, and I went to some amazing house parties in some rather raw spaces. Following that, the biggest draw to the area was the original Eyedrum and Trinity (the space that became the now-defunct Formosa). Oh, and the back alley bathhouse.
Now there's tons more secured living and art galleries a plenty. But the best thing about Castleberry is this slender slice of Peters Street real estate, which offers up a full bar till midnight during the week and legal last call on the weekends, and a full menu until 1ish.
While there, I ran into spoken word artist Son Christopher, who some may know from Apache Café's award-winning Free Form Xchange, and I am led to believe Tameka "Tiny" Cottle from Atlanta's own Xscape was also in attendance.
One Hell of a P-Ride On her Live Journal, a friend of mine recently posted what I have come to recognize as my definitive summation. She said, and I quote, "[Tony] is the closest thing to a black woman, without actually being one, since RuPaul: He's bossy, bitchy and controlling, and full of himself with a great sense of style." Seeing as how my friend, Chastity, is a formidable black woman herself, I take this as a compliment.
I mention this comparison not just to warn all you cracker bitches to step off, but because June 24-26 is the annual Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade (the official events held in Piedmont Park and along Peachtree). So for one weekend, the city will be 10 times as snappy - teaming with men either impeccably coiffed or just waiting for their shirts to be doffed. With a city full of the kings of queens, the streets will be packed with lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Here's a guide to a few of the weekend's specially organized rumbles in the jungle (usually beginning at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
On Fri., June 24, there will be DJ Tony Moran and renowned drag performances at 600 Means St. (part of a series of armed forces-themed ATLDraft events, so enjoy dressing for those). There's also Heaven, for the ladies, at the Park Tavern, and Jungle has a Studio 54 party.??<p?>On Sat., June 25, the "Queer As Folk" Ancient Babylon Tour presents DJ Abel at the Woodruff Arts Center. And there's some more of that ATLDraft jazz at WETbar and Club X (the old Loretta's), while Jungle has Inaya Day and Rick Mitchell.
Finally, on Sun., June 26, it's T time, with three main parties: DJ Barry Harris will be at eleven50 from 6 p.m.-midnight; DJ Mark Tarbox will be at the reopened Vision from 9 p.m.-until; and DJ Rob Reum and host Bubba D. Licious will be at Compound late into the morning. Oh, and ATLDraft is throwing something at Club X - didn't see that coming, did you?
So what can you expect musically from these DJs? Oh, oh, let me guess. I go with, hmm, soulful, big-room house mixed with pounding, tribal beats and deep, driving trance. Sounds like quite a circuit to git'cha fired up, eh?
Can I Buy a Vow-el On Sat., June 18, local DJ/producer Marcos Pieras was married to Laurie Turner with a morning reception/evening celebration at Bazzaar. Congratulations.
But seriously, I'm happy to see Slice doing well. I remember almost seven years ago when Castleberry wasn't nearly as developed, and I went to some amazing house parties in some rather raw spaces. Following that, the biggest draw to the area was the original Eyedrum and Trinity (the space that became the now-defunct Formosa). Oh, and the back alley bathhouse.
Now there's tons more secured living and art galleries a plenty. But the best thing about Castleberry is this slender slice of Peters Street real estate, which offers up a full bar till midnight during the week and legal last call on the weekends, and a full menu until 1ish.
While there, I ran into spoken word artist Son Christopher, who some may know from Apache Café's award-winning Free Form Xchange, and I am led to believe Tameka "Tiny" Cottle from Atlanta's own Xscape was also in attendance.
One Hell of a P-Ride On her Live Journal, a friend of mine recently posted what I have come to recognize as my definitive summation. She said, and I quote, "[Tony] is the closest thing to a black woman, without actually being one, since RuPaul: He's bossy, bitchy and controlling, and full of himself with a great sense of style." Seeing as how my friend, Chastity, is a formidable black woman herself, I take this as a compliment.
I mention this comparison not just to warn all you cracker bitches to step off, but because June 24-26 is the annual Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade (the official events held in Piedmont Park and along Peachtree). So for one weekend, the city will be 10 times as snappy - teaming with men either impeccably coiffed or just waiting for their shirts to be doffed. With a city full of the kings of queens, the streets will be packed with lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Here's a guide to a few of the weekend's specially organized rumbles in the jungle (usually beginning at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
On Fri., June 24, there will be DJ Tony Moran and renowned drag performances at 600 Means St. (part of a series of armed forces-themed ATLDraft events, so enjoy dressing for those). There's also Heaven, for the ladies, at the Park Tavern, and Jungle has a Studio 54 party.??<p?>On Sat., June 25, the "Queer As Folk" Ancient Babylon Tour presents DJ Abel at the Woodruff Arts Center. And there's some more of that ATLDraft jazz at WETbar and Club X (the old Loretta's), while Jungle has Inaya Day and Rick Mitchell.
Finally, on Sun., June 26, it's T time, with three main parties: DJ Barry Harris will be at eleven50 from 6 p.m.-midnight; DJ Mark Tarbox will be at the reopened Vision from 9 p.m.-until; and DJ Rob Reum and host Bubba D. Licious will be at Compound late into the morning. Oh, and ATLDraft is throwing something at Club X - didn't see that coming, did you?
So what can you expect musically from these DJs? Oh, oh, let me guess. I go with, hmm, soulful, big-room house mixed with pounding, tribal beats and deep, driving trance. Sounds like quite a circuit to git'cha fired up, eh?
Can I Buy a Vow-el On Sat., June 18, local DJ/producer Marcos Pieras was married to Laurie Turner with a morning reception/evening celebration at Bazzaar. Congratulations.
It's also been brought to my attention that some time in the last couple of weeks, DJ Starboy became engaged. Finally, someone is going to make an honest woman of him. Congratulations to Angela, you've got one hell of a house husband there.
Keep one RedEye open. And send all comments, questions, observations and invitations to redeye@creativeloafing.com.
'[Tony] is the closest thing to a black woman without actually being one.'