Fresh Loaf

They say that everyone is a little bit Irish, which might explain why Atlanta is practically bursting with celebrations of the Emerald Isle and good old St. Patrick. Here’s a short list of what’s happening on St. Patrick’s Day, as well as festivities the weekend before for those of us who (alas) have to work on Tuesday.

Parties:

You could always get drunk the classy way at MARTINIS O’ IMAX. Before the film, there will be Ireland-inspired cocktails like the “Pot o’ Gold” or the “Lucky Lephechaun,” and live music from Kingsized. Plus, you get out of the cover charge if you wear green. $15-$22. March 13, 5:30 p.m. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road. 404-929-6400. www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Or, take to the streets for Underground Atlanta’s ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. In addition to the parade, there will be Irish dancing, bands (including a U2 cover band), themed activities for kids and food. Free. March 14, noon. 50 Upper Alabama St. 404-523-2311. www.underground-atlanta.com.

For more of a block-party atmosphere, check out the BUCKHEAD ST. PATURDAY FESTIVAL. There will be plenty of music (again, including a U2 cover band), entertainment and Yuengling, which, thank the Lord, has finally come to Atlanta. $6. March 14, 5 p.m. Buckhead West Village, East Andrews Drive and Irby Avenue. www.buckheadfestival.com.

And if you’re looking to go balls to the wall this St. Patrick’s Day, check out the daylong celebration at FADO. $10-$15. March 17, 7 a.m. Fado Irish Pub, 279 Buckhead Ave. 404-841-0066. www.fadoirishpub.com/atlanta.

(Photo by Jarl van Hoother/Flickr.com)

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Feeling a little down at the prospect of putting on a classy new cocktail dress just to watch Sunday’s Academy Awards in your living room? While there aren’t a whole lot of Oscar events around town, we’ve got the goods on a few solid options — and the lack of parties is all the more reason to check out CL’s Oscar coverage.

Prepare mentally for the showdown and check out all five Best Picture nominees in a single day at the AMC Best Picture Showcase this Saturday.

Oscar Nights® America – Atlanta, Atlanta’s only official Oscar party, features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dessert, as well as a silent auction, cigar bar and WSB-TV’s Jovita Moore as emcee. Proceeds benefit the Center for Family Resources, which helps low-income families find employment, education and housing — so the warm and fuzzy feelings won’t solely be the result of Hugh Jackman on the big screen.

Women in Film and Television is holding a slightly more laid-back party at STATS. With five bars and lots of TVs, STATS is a good place to relax and network while watching the festivities. There’s also an Oscar prediction contest with prizes.

(Photo © A.M.P.A.S.)

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Curtis Clark is the bassist of Atlanta’s heavy metal karaoke band, Metalsome. The group, whose motto is “Everyone’s a rock star … no apologies,” performs behind brave-hearted karaoke enthusiasts every Monday, Friday and Saturday at the 10 High in Virginia-Highland.

Tell me about how and when Metalsome came about.

Metalsome started in 2003. A friend of the woman who used to book the club had gone to New York, and on a Monday night went through a club called Arlene’s Grocery. They were doing a thing called Punk Rock Karaoke. She approached me with the idea and said, “Well, what do you think about this?” I said, “Well, I think it’s cool.”

We started doing it in May of 2003, on Monday nights only. I think the first night we did it, there were roughly 30 people and we had about 20-something songs. It wasn’t long after that that we made contact with the people in New York, and talked to them and realized we were so much like them. It was really pretty strange. Now, every major city in the United States has a live band karaoke thing going.

How did you start in music in general?

You start like everybody else starts. It’s a hobby, and it’s a passion. It’s just a bad habit that you don’t fall out of. I had a friend who in ‘76 got his first guitar, and I started playing it because he didn’t play it. I sort of inherited it. Playing music is something that for some bizarre reason I’ve never quit doing. I’m into my forties now and still making a living, playing bass guitar. You see KISS and it inspires you. That’s what happened to me, and most of the guys in my band are the same way.

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