Pulled Quote: Candy Everybody Wants
Thursday, May 29th, 2008Jayson had decided that he was homosexual while watching a Phil Donahue episode on the topic eight years earlier. He’d come home early from kindergarten that day because he’d gotten a stomach ache from worrying about whether his Hee Haw overalls were too outré for his peers. Jayson had been sent home from school fairly often over the years, including the first day of kindergarten when he’d become inconsolably agitated that the school wouldn’t change their spelling of his name from “Jason” to “Jayson.” He felt very strongly that he needed the extra flair to set himself apart from the other, obviously less special Jasons in the class.
– From Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s latest novel, Candy Everybody Wants. Kilmer-Purcell will read and sign copies of the book at Outwrite Books on Wednesday, May 28.
By 
A mesh of delicate drift and violent squall, Cleveland duo MR. GNOME ingests the lessons of Sonic Youth, King Crimson, Hella and the Cocteau Twins, spitting out dynamic, undulating arrangements of prog-pop and art-metal as they waver between sonic extremes Mon., MAY 12. Comely frontwoman Nicole Barille’s breathy vocals accompany supple six-string majesties that rise and collapse in fits of intensity and then ebb away. Drummer Sam Meister pushes and pulls the pace like the moon on the tides, getting jazzy for the twilight moments and martial for the rumbles. $5. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-1522. 
Imagine how different the American flag could have been if Betsy Ross had the help of electricity and some young and crafty artists. In Cooper Sanchez’s independently produced art show FLAGSHIP MARK, he collaborates with the Betsy Ross Society, a group of 19 seamsters and seamstresses, sewing machines and printing presses, to make his own versions of flags. Sanchez expands on the idea of a flag as a symbol and uses motivation from his life and his crafty helpers to visually communicate to his audience at this one-day-only event, Fri., MAY 2. Free. 7 p.m. Function, 508 E. Howard Ave., Decatur. 404-377-0280. 
Small Farms CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is sponsoring a benefit dinner at Glover Family Organic Farm (right) Sun., APRIL 27. The annual event is a fundraiser for Slow Foods Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that promotes local food traditions. This year’s theme of WORLD FOOD AT THE FARM pays homage to the immigrant roots that make up Atlanta’s culinary melting pot. Chefs and cooks from all over the world who showcase their talents daily at Atlanta restaurants such as Repast, Woodfire Grill and Restaurant Eugene are teaming up to prepare a family-style meal with most of the ingredients taken right from Glover Farm. It’s a collision of Southern comfort food and international flavors. Other treats for guests include a rare performance by a refugee drum troop from Burundi, and a silent auction to raise money for the community garden at Refugee Family Services. $45. Glover Family Farm, 3260 Ga. 166, Douglasville. 678-485-4941. 
In its 37th year, the INMAN PARK FESTIVAL still meets the criteria of a block party. It’s a neighborhood celebration that overtakes the streets for no reason other than to congregate and have a good time. But over the past few decades, the festival has tremendously elaborated on the original definition. It now offers art from more than 100 local artists, a kids’ area, a dance festival, a tour of homes, music performed on three different stages (bringing the party into the night), and a highly acclaimed offbeat parade, this year featuring Mayor Shirley Franklin as parade grand marshal. Enjoy the extras Sat.-Sun., APRIL 26-27, but as tradition dictates, celebrate with your neighbors for no reason other than for fun. Free-$20. Fri., noon-4 p.m. (tour of homes only); Sat., 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. — 7 p.m. Inman Park. 770-242-4895. 
Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Marlon Rigg’s 1989 TONGUES UNTIED is an unconventional blend of documentary, fiction, personal testimony and poetry that masterfully archives gay, black males struggling to establish an identity. Though Rigg’s intention was to break the silence on this cross-culture, he was heavily ostracized for his blatant portrayal of homophobia and racism. On the 20th anniversary of its release, PinkEye and Film Love jointly present the film Fri., APRIL 18 as a reminder that these issues are still current and prevalent. A panel discussion follows the screening. $7. 8 p.m. Eyedrum Music & Art Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 8. 404-522-0655. 