Fresh Loaf

OK, I like pirates as much as the next guy. Who among us hasn’t been tempted to silence some blowhard by snarling, “Avast ye, scurvy dog!”

But a pirate museum in downtown Atlanta? That makes about as much sense as us getting a cowboy heritage center or a monument to Arctic exploration.

Unless, of course, your goal is make a quick buck by turning Centennial Park into a theme park with cheesy attractions geared toward unrelated cultural fads. Hmm, now that’s an idea. What about opening the Buffalo Wing Museum? Or the Center for Cell Phone App Research? Or a meercat habitat? (Oops, I forgot Zoo Atlanta recently did that already.)

UPDATE: I was just reminded by a doctor of cultural anthropology I know that pirates were the major force behind the North African slave trade in the 17th and 18th centuries. Maybe the museum could offer a two-for-one admission deal with the planned Center for Civil and Human Rights.

(Image stolen from Snorg Tees)

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This photo was taken on June 26, just before noon at the Fountain of Rings in Centennial Park. It seemed like almost every square inch of fountain space was spoken for as people tried to keep cool. It was entertaining to watch everyone enjoy the cooling blast of water from the fountains while trying to beat the summertime heat. This photo captures that fun of just letting loose and enjoying yourself on a hot summer day. More than once I thought about putting my camera down and joining them.

(Photo by Jeff Riley)

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Approximate number of people who gathered in Centennial Olympic Park to watch the presidential inauguration: 1,000

Temperature in degrees, with wind chill included, at 9:05 a.m. on Jan. 20 in Atlanta: 11

Number of people who attended the Georgia Democratic Party’s inaugural brunch in Washington, D.C.: 700

Approximate number of people who watched the ceremony at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church: 250

Time people began lining up Tuesday morning outside Manuel’s Tavern to watch the ceremony: 9

Time the restaurant normally opens on weekday mornings: 11

Number of extra copies the AJC printed of its Jan. 21 edition to meet collectors’ demand: 225,000

Price in dollars of a limited-edition bottle of Hennessy cognac issued for the inauguration: 60

Price in dollars of a limited-edition Spiderman comic book featuring President Obama at Oxford Comics: 75

Price in dollars of an inauguration ceremony ticket offered on the Atlanta Craigs List: 1,000

Number of ads on Atlanta Craigs List offering sex in D.C. port-a-potties on inauguration day: 1

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1) Holiday in Lights continues at Centennial Olympic Park.

2) Gentleman Jesse & His Men play the Earl.

3) Doubt opens in area theaters.

4) Lenny’s Bar hosts a Christmas Dance Party.

5) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button opens in area theaters.

(Photo courtesy Centennial Olympic Park)

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PROJECT DANCE “I’m down with G-O-D, yeah u know me.”

Project Dance is a traveling um, dance project, whose founders want to “positively impact culture” and help dancers fulfill their “fullest human potential for their own wellbeing and their contribution to the world.”

Honestly, we have no idea what that means, but the dancing was really good. A three-day festival of traveling and local dancers in Centennial Olympic Park last weekend, the show mixed hip-hop, lyrical, ballet, and modern dance. Sadly, there was no mime, but there was a dancer who approached the lip of the stage to yell something end-timesy.

Speaking of end-times, the only real bummer about the show was the overbearing religiosity of the music. Instead of fun religious music (gospel, Handel, Jesus Christ Superstar), too much of it was of the tedious, earnest, contemporary Christian variety. We don’t want to risk a smiting, but yuck.

(Photo and additional reporting by Tara-Lynne Pixley)

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1) Hairball continues at Alcove Gallery.

2) The Kickin’ Pickin’ Bluegrass Party plays at Chastain Park.

3) The Tabernacle hosts Sevendust, Alter Bridge and Soulidium.

4) Nubian Dreams: Images of the Sudan is on display at Emory.

5) Wednesday Wind Down at Centennial Olympic Park.

(Image by Jeremiah Ketner)

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1) This month’s Silver Scream Spook Show features It Came from Beneath the Sea at Plaza Theatre.

2) Snoop Dogg and 311 perform at Lakewood Amphitheatre.

3) Karla Baker signs her new book at Clay’s Gallery.

4) Rock out with international superstar Vinx at Centennial Olympic Park.

5) The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra plays at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

(Photo by Bryant Upchurch)

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1) Susan Silton’s The Five W’s continues at Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.

2) Rush performs at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

3) Comedy Combat hosted by Alyssa Barnett and Jessica Rose is at Eddie’s Attic.

4) Listen to live music during your lunch break as part of Music at Noon at Centennial Olympic Park.

5) Lost Kingdoms of the Nile: Nubian Treasures is on display at the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

(Image by Susan Silton)

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Whether it’s with sparklers at a backyard cookout, or choreographed explosions lighting up the night sky, most people enjoy heading outside to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. Here at CL we are no exception, so we went ahead and put together a roundup of where you can calm your fireworks craving this Fri., July 4.

Not one to disappoint, Stone Mountain will celebrate the Fourth with a dual lasershow and fireworks display. Come early to enjoy all the park’s attractions for the day and then find a comfortable spot on the Memorial Lawn to check out the new and improved Lasershow at 9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks from the top and bottom of the mountain. $10 parking fee per vehicle. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com.

The annual Fourth of July event at Centennial Olympic Park is becoming a tradition for its family-friendly and fun activities. From noon to 5 p.m. bring the kids to enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, performances, stilt walkers, inflatables and more. Beginning at 5 p.m., local band Stokeswood will put the evening in high gear, with a performance from 911 Band following. The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra headlines the musical event at 8 p.m. and will feature solo performances by actor Ric Reitz, vocalist Wendy Bennett and string trio True Dixon. The AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular will wrap up the event with an amazing show framed by the downtown skyline and synchronized to a selection of patriotic music. Can’t make it to the show? 11 Alive (WXIA-TV) will broadcast the show live, and the music will be broadcast on radio station Star 94 (WSLC-FM). 404-223-4090. www.centennialpark.com. (more…)

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