1) Several Dancers Core and the Emory University Dance Program present Fieldwork Showcase.
2) Orchid Daze closes at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
3) Ludacris, Shawty Lo and Young Jeezy perform at Philips Arena.
4) The Extremists continues at 7 Stages.
5) Thoughts from the Other Side wraps up at the Beam.
(Photo by Keiko Guest)
VOTERS IN DIFF'RENT AREA CODES Democratic nominee Jim Martin, supported by T.I., Young Jeezy and Ludacris (not pictured), on Monday night at the Gold Dome.
Let it be stated: You will never again see Jim Martin walk out to bodyshaking bass and shake hands with three hip-hop stars. Absurd moments like these only happen on the eve of a runoff where a Democrat-controlled Senate is at stake.
On Monday night in front of the Capitol, standing at a podium underneath a statue of one of Georgia’s most perplexing racists, the U.S. Senate Democratic nominee addressed a bundled-up crowd of nearly 1,000 people that braved the cold to see Ludacris, T.I. and Young Jeezy. (Martin admitted as much.)
But Democrats hope those supporters will return to the polls on Tuesday to vote for the Party’s candidates — and tell their friends and families to do the same.
Flanked on stage by more than 30 city, state and federal Democratic notables, Martin repeated the phrase he’s used to describe his role if voters send him to Washington — to be a “bridge” to Pres.-elect Barack Obama’s initiatives, not a “firewall,” as Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss has branded himself.
“You did the right thing,” Congressman John Lewis told the crowd. “You did it. And we must do it again… I’ve served in Congress for a little while. Saxby is not our friend. I tell you, he’s not our friend. If you really want to help Barack Obama, let’s do it.”
Today’s the last chance for Georgia’s U.S. Senate candidates to campaign, and they’re both playing to the base.
Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss hosted Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin last night at a private fundraiser at the W Hotel in Midtown; today she’ll stump for the candidate in Augusta, Savannah and Perry before finishing the day at the Gwinnett Arena at 4 p.m.
Democratic candidate Jim Martin is scheduled to receive well wishes from rapper Ludacris and U.S. Congressman John Lewis today at a rally in front of the Capitol at 5:30 p.m.
Martin, whom many political pundits said needed a visit from Pres.-elect Barack Obama to rouse voters back to the polls against Chambliss, is trying to energize turnout among African-American voters. That demographic turned out in record numbers for the Nov. 4 General Election, but statistics for early voting in the runoff election show fewer numbers are returning to the polls. Obama did lend his voice to robocalls and a radio ad for Martin, it looks like he won’t be stopping in the Peach State to rally for the former state lawmaker.
And before I forget. Matt Zencey, the editorial page editor for the Anchorage Daily News, has some kind words for Palin as she makes her way across our gee-golly-this-place-is-neat-ya-know state.
Gov. Palin’s eldest joined the Army and has been deployed to Iraq. As a justifiably proud military mom, she might ask herself why she is using her conservative star power to support such a reprehensible Republican chicken hawk.
OK then! We’ll have info later in the day about voting tomorrow as well as the usual list of who’s partying where. If you attend any of these rallies — I’ll most likely try to get some face time with America’s sweetheart — feel free to send in photos.
HAULING ASSET: U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson held a press conference this morning about the federal government’s plan to take all those pain-in-the-ass assets off the hands of struggling financial companies. It’s expected to be the biggest federal meddling in the free market since the 1930s, and markets around the world are digging it.
HADRON COLLIDER: A 30-ton transformer breaks in the world’s largest particle collider, halting the experiment. I can only assume it’s because of black holes.
FLORIDA: Thinks it’s too good for Clayton students.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: NFL commish Roger Goodell issues a warning about helmet-to-helmet collisions following Tampa Bay cornerback Elbert Mack’s skull-rattling hit on Matt Ryan.
DICK CHENEY: Can’t get enough war.
GA. MUSIC HALL OF FAME: Accepting seven new inductees Saturday, including Ludacris and Widespread Panic.
IT’S NOT THE HUMIDITY: UGA prepares to play in the Arizona desert for the first time in its 115-year history.
COKE: Named the No. 1 brand in the world for the eighth year in a row.
LANIER: Five feet away from last December’s all-time low.
