I’m all over a theme party like a cheap bed sheet! Costumes play a big role in a successful themed event. Considering the struggling economy, there is no cheaper costume than a toga party. I mean seriously, EVERYONE’s GOT A TOGA! You have a BED, Right?

Besides, there’s just something so hedonistic about wearing a toga. Last weekend I hosted the PARTY AT THE PARTHENON @ The SoChi Gallery.
Upon entry the monumental columns backdrop from Macon’s Backdrops Fantastic really transformed the joint into a Grecian party palace. The signature cocktail appropriately named The Nectar, was truly fit for the gods. But what really made the theme party a success were the TOGArific party-goers and the mythological tunes provided by DKH Entertainment! If rolling out of the sheets and wrapping them around you ain’t your bag, call Needle & Thread Goddess Angie Hardison. She transformed me into Dionysus, the god of wine.

There are not many things cooler than live jazz. And the CD release party for jazz great Mose Davis’ new SUNSHINE CD certainly was one of the coolest things ever. It was the MOST, to say the least. The Jazz Association of Macon hosted the event at The SoChi Gallery on the 24th. Mose brought along songbird Maria Howell from the film THE COLOR PURPLE who blew us all away with her vocals. You can catch Maria perform at Sambuca in Buckhead on a regular basis. It was magical. Thanks to Wesley Audio for supplying the organ.

OK, have you seen the Sasha Baron Cohen flick BRUNO? Well, if not it’s a Must-See for the Sick & Demented set. I loved it! Apparently word has spread because I was one of 3 people in the theater. Fortunately, the other two people were also twisted. It was a serious laugh fest.

Speaking of sick & demented, I skipped the BRAVO premiere party for the new season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” at the W Hotel in Buckhead so I’ve nothing to report on that front other than I heard it was a complete bomb!

Hey, does your life suck? If so, check out this new site I found. It’s called F My Life. It’s good for a few laughs. And it just may make you realize that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence…in fact, the grass is dead or at least full of weeds.

Speaking of WEEDS, Happy Birthday to Mary Louise Parker of the Showtime hit by the same name.

Unlike most people, I gleefully usher out summer each year. It’s not my bag. I hate the heat. My family takes off and leaves me HOME ALONE or in the words of rocker Billy Idol, DANCING WITH MYSELF! Mercifully, Summer is coming to an end and my family has returned. WELCOME HOME!

Remember, this Friday is First Friday. See you all in SoChi!

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Macon Arts’ Taste of Music. August 15th @ The Blacksmith Shop. 7p-10p. If you are a doctor who’d like to be a celeb chef at this year’s event, contact Macon Arts @ 478-743-6940.

Weaver’s Weekend, August 29th. The Armory Ballroom. 8p-Midnight. $35 er person, open bar, meal included and music by John Dunn and the Jazzmen. All of the proceeds go to support Vine Ingle and the Mike Weaver Scholarship fund.

BLACK IS BACK! Movie legend Karen Black is bringing her play “Missouri Waltz” to the Cox Capitol Theatre. The show will run from Sept. 18-26. There will be a Kickoff Party for Karen & Grammy Award Nominee Harriet Schock @ the home of Don Bivings & Pino Mauro on August 29th for all event sponsors. Please contact the Cox Capitol Theatre for sponsorship opportunities. 478-257-6391
Karen first came to Macon for the ’09 Macon Film Festival and fell in love with the city. This is why she is coming back so I encourage all to support her.

Check out my new column about mixing & mingling: “The SoChi Life” in the August/September issue of Macon Magazine.

OPENING FALL ’09 on Cherry Street: Jack & Coat Men’s Store and Dolce Vita Café & Bar. Stay tuned.

I Want to Rock-N-Roll All Night!
Jonas Brothers, Aug. 22nd @ Phillips Arena
Depeche Mode, Sept. 1st @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
Pet Shop Boys, Sept. 12th @ Chastain Park
Psychedelic Furs, Oct. 2nd @ The Masquerade
Kings of Leon, Oct. 9th @ Phillips Arena

I can’t get Ricky Martin’s Livin’ la Vida Loca out of my head! This past week has been la vida loca for me so I thought I’d share some of the insanity. Not certifiably insane, but more of a “walk on the wild side” kind of surreal, Bizarre may be a better word.

I’ll begin at the end and work my way backward since that seems to go along with the crazy…

Dinner in Atlanta is always a good idea. Especially when the chef is about to be a big TV star. Saturday night began with dinner @ Pura Vida Tapas in Virginia Highlands. Owner/Chef Hector Santiago has been a star in my eyes for years, but his stardom is about to soar when TOP CHEF Season 6 premieres on BRAVO on August 19th. I threw a party for my wife’s birthday party 4 years ago and Chef Hector catered the event. People are still talking about it….and him…and his amazing food…and the signature cocktails! OK, back to the Now…We got the Rock Star treatment Saturday night beginning with the best table in the restaurant (Thank you Hector & Leslie Santiago!) Tapas are my fave and we feasted on little plate after little plate! A variety of delectables were delivered to our table all evening. Dinner ended with a game of Pass The Porron. Simply put, you drink wine straight from the vessel by pouring it into your mouth. The further away from your mouth you can go, the better you are. The porron is passed around the table until all the wine is drunk…or all ARE drunk! The catch: you can’t put the porron on the table until all the wine is gone.

After the last drop was drunk, we moved on to the best dive bar in town. The Clermont Lounge is Atlanta’s oldest strip club located in the basement of the Clermont Motor Hotel on Ponce de Leon Avenue. The Clermont is famous for it’s “mature” strippers, like “BLONDIE” , who dance on a stage behind the circular bar. These girls are OLD pros at collecting a dollar…You gotta hand it to ‘em … They aren’t afraid of revealing all their assets…(Hark! I hear a song in my head and it’s The Smiths’ SOME GIRLS ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS.) Seriously, I think the youngest “girl” was around 40. The oldest, maybe 60. But don’t KID yourself, this joint is still hot, and not like in a Hot Flash sort of way. We left a bit after midnight and the line to get in was snaked around the block – and nary a cane or wheelchair in site! The Clermont Lounge is still a force in the Atlanta club scene.

After all the dollar bills ran out we met my friend Joseph Guay at Sutra Lounge in Midtown. Voted one of the “Top 100 Nightclubs in the United States” by Restaurant and Nightclub Magazine, Sutra is located at the very hip corner of Cresent & 14th Streets. I must give props to DJ Krillz who has got to be one of the most Slamming DJ’s I’ve ever had he pleasure of hearing…he had us all soul shaking. Mercifully, the huge floor fans were blowing ’cause the DJ was burnin’ down the house.

I was feeling a little insane last week, so I made an appointment with my therapist – tennis coach, Paul Tobin. You know, sometimes, a good game can really screw your head back on. Plus, he’s good about giving business advice…so he’s like a Two-fer.

SUCK ON THIS!
LOLLYPHILE – Lollipops for Adults. Talk about a great party favor…these suckers are booze-infused! Bourbon, White Russian and Absinthe…I mean seriously, Absinthe was illegal in the U.S. until 2007 due to claims that it made you crazy, like insane. Apparently, this flavor is their best seller. Other flavors include Maple-Bacon, Wasabi-Ginger…….Crazy!

I met with singer/song writer Dawn Jackson @ The Tic Toc Room on Thursday to discuss some projects. She’s recently moved to Macon from L.A. via Nashville which is the crazy part…but what was even more bizarre was I met two cats who were in from Atlanta who are FANS of this blog! Now, THAT’s insane – in a very small-worldish sort of way. She is Atlanta Magazine writer Candice Dyer & Atlanta artist John Cox. Long story short…the three of us ended the evening @ Lemongrass Thai Bistro. Me with a refreshing CUKI Lemonade (cucumber gin cocktail) in one hand and a “pom pom” in the other espousing the great things that are going on in Downtown Macon. FYI: Look for an art show for John Cox at The SoChi Gallery in the not too distant future.

OK….for my last serving of crazy, check out the trailer for the Steve Balderson film that was filmed here in Macon a few months ago: “STUCK!”

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

BRAGG JAM. Macon’s summer music festival. 40+ bands. Multiple stages. Saturday, July 25th.

Mose Davis “SUNSHINE” CD Release Party. Sunday, July 26th. 6-9p. The SoChi Gallery. This on the heels of his Friday night performance at Chastain Park in Atlanta, opening for BABYFACE.

LOL …
Wanda Sykes @ Uptown Comedy Corner: July 30th & 31st, 800 Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30318

Jennifer Coolidge, Brett Butler & Hal Sparks @ Laughing Skull Lounge. Jennifer Coolidge is best known for her roles as “Stifler’s mom” in the AMERICAN PIE films, the manicurist in LEGALLY BLONDE. July 28: Brett Butler of GRACE UNDER FIRE. Sept 17 – 20: Hal Sparks known for his stint as the host of TALK SOUP. Also VH1 Shows and his starring role in QUEER AS FOLK. For tickets: call 877-523-3288. Laughing Skull Lounge is located @ 878 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

Party @ the Parthenon, a Greek-themed costume party. July 31st @ The SoChi Gallery.

Greenhaven, the first eco-friendly Decorators’ Show House in Atlanta. Open to the public until August 9, 2009, Greenhaven will showcase the latest in sustainable interior design, state-of-the-art technology and energy efficiency. The home will feature over 20 of Atlanta’s top interior designers, each with a fresh and unique perspective on eco-friendly design. From a healthy home nursery and eco-pet suite to a green “tween” room and fly fishing experience, guests will enjoy an exclusive tour of the most innovative and sustainably designed interior spaces in Atlanta.

DOCS WHO ROCK! Macon Arts’ Taste of Music. August 15th @ The Blacksmith Shop. 7p-10p. If you are a doctor who’d like to be a celeb chef at this year’s event, contact Macon Arts @ 478-743-6940.

The Green Concert @ Piedmont Park, Aug. 15th

Weaver’s Weekend, August 29th. The Armory Ballroom. 8p-Midnight. $35 per person, open bar, meal included and music by John Dunn and the Jazzmen. All of the proceeds go to support Vine Ingle and the Mike Weaver Scholarship fund.

Check out my new column about mixing & mingling: “The SoChi Life” in the June/July issue of Macon Magazine.

I WANT TO ROCK-N-ROLL ALL NIGHT !

Chris Isaak, July 25th @ Chastain Park
Tori Amos, July 27th @ Chastain Park
Tom Jones, July 31st @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
American Idols Live! July 31s @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Jonas Brothers, Aug. 22nd @ Phillips Arena
Depeche Mode, Sept. 1st @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
Pet Shop Boys, Sept. 12th @ Chastain Park
Psychedelic Furs, Oct. 2nd @ The Masquerade
Kings of Leon, Oct. 9th @ Phillips Arena

“In a world full of people there’s only some want to fly
Isn’t that crazy
Oh
But we’re never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy, crazy
No we’re never gonna to survive unless we are a little crazy” – SEAL

Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain is so on my Bucket List. But much like commercial air travel, I’m sure it sounds more exotic than it really is. I chose the fish over beef and jetted off to Martha’s Vineyard, an island in Massachusetts for a little summer sanctuary. Searching for a little piece of PEACE.

Well, jetted might be overstating it a bit….I’ll just say, I made it by air, land & sea (a plane, bus & ferry.) Don’t ask! OK, I’ll tell you. Air travel & I don’t seem to get along. Inevitably something always happens…long story short, Cape Air owes me a round trip ticket.

Shake it off! I finally made it to the vineyard. The 95 degree Georgia temps now just a bad memory and the 66 degree vineyard embraces me like a mama embraces a child upon returning from summer camp!

The movie “JAWS” was filmed in Martha’s Vineyard back in 1975. It’s also the place where I first met my wife back in 1985. It’s also the locale where JFK, Jr’s plane crashed in 1999, 10 years ago this week. It’s also a great place to eat LOBSTER!

I was there over the 4th and let me tell you…they do it old school! The Independence Day Parade down Main Street is SO Mayberry … in the best sense of the word. Small town charm with a lot of Big City guests. My son’s sailing class was in the parade this year and their float won some award. As day turned to night, we headed out to Chappaquiddick for lobster and fireworks. It was spectacular! As I’m watching these fireworks, it’s hard to believe that we are in a recession. You’d never know it!

Speaking of recession, I was encouraged to have my tea leaves read … to answer a few questions I have about the state of my affairs. Sounds weird, right? Well, I’m all about it. Bring on the funk! Fly that freak flag and I’ll be there to salute. I went to this very fancy tea house, The English Butler, and made an appointment with the very British owner, Alison David, to have my leaves read. After I drank the tea, Alison performed a little Psychic Surgery on me (her words, not mine.). Fascinating is all I can say…made all the more enjoyable by her lovely British accent!

We celebrated my sister-in-law Ellen Bender’s birthday @ Atria. Called “Sexy & Sophisticated” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, our table lived up to its moniker. We had the only outdoor table in the garden under a large tree – a chandelier hanging from a branch. Regrettably I didn’t have a camera to capture the very TOWN & COUNTY moment. This joint has ambiance by the boatful. The Lobster Mac n’ Cheese and swordfish entrée were delish. FYI: there is no better swordfish than the freshly harpooned vineyard variety.

Before I divert from the culinary tales, there is a MUST if visiting the vineyard. And that is the foie gras @ L’Etoile. It is totally to-die-for! Chef Michael Brisson’s Sauteed, Spice Crusted Duck Foie Gras is simply the best bite on earth.

I have an addiction: Sunglasses. The dealer: Summer Shades in Edgartown. The Drug: Oliver Peoples sunglasses. My latest fix: the “Robert Evans.” Ahhh…..with the eyes rolling in the back of my head.

Tip: If your cell phone or iPod gets wet, put it in a brisker for a few hours. It’ll dry it right out.

Fun Beach Read: “When You Are Engulfed In Flames” by David Sedaris. Warning: your laughter will annoy those around you.

Can you Moonwalk? Post your video on the Eternal Moonwalk site.

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Mose Davis “SUNSHINE” CD Release Party. July 26th. 6-9p. The SoChi Gallery. This on the heels of his opening for Babyface at Chastain on July 24th.

BRAGG JAM, July 25th! Macon’s ultimate summer music festival = over 40 bands take on multiple stages.

Party @ the Parthenon, a Greek-themed costume party. July 31st @ The SoChi Gallery.

DOCS WHO ROCK! Macon Arts’ Taste of Music. August 15th @ The Blacksmith Shop. 7p-10p. If you are a doctor who’d like to be a celeb chef at this year’s event, contact Macon Arts @ 478-743-6940.

Hector Santiago of PURA VIDA in Atlanta is going to be on TOP CHEF Season 6. Premieres Aug. 26th on BRAVO. Hector (PURA VIDA) catered my wife’s 40th Birthday Party…and he’s amazing!

Weaver’s Weekend, August 29th. The Armory Ballroom. 8p-Midnight. $35 er person, open bar, meal included and music by John Dunn and the Jazzmen. All of the proceeds go to support Vine Ingle and the Mike Weaver Scholarship fund.

Check out my new column about mixing & mingling: “The SoChi Life” in the June/July issue of Macon Magazine.

I WANT TO ROCK-N-ROLL ALL NIGHT!

Jonas Brothers, Aug. 22nd @ Phillips Arena
Depeche Mode, Sept. 1st @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
Pet Shop Boys, Sept. 12th @ Chastain Park
Psychedelic Furs, Oct. 2nd @ The Masquerade
Kings of Leon, Oct. 9th @ Phillips Arena

Are you HOT? Well, I’m Burnin’ Up! …On Fire, Actually… Hot Child in the City! “I’m Melting, Melting” as the Wicked Witch of the West would say. Or as Michael Jackson sang so eloquently, “I’m Melting…I’m Melting mah… like hot candle wax…sensation..ah sensation…lovely where we’re at (ooh)”….What’s the deal with these soaring temps? I am not a fan. I was freaking out earlier this week that I was going bald…but now realize that I’m just “shedding” because it’s so damn HOT!

Well sadly, this week we shedded two of the hottest things to ever walk the earth: Farrah Fawcett & Michael Jackson.

Farrah Fawcett was my favorite “Angel.” Actually, I think she was one of my most favorite things…Ever! In the ‘70’s not only did I have THE POSTER hanging on my bedroom wall, I had a t-shirt with the iron-on that I wore until the image flaked off. I made a scrapbook filled with her photos that I cut out of every magazine I could find with her photo in it. Do you call that scrapbooking? If so, I was ahead of the curve on this trend. Farrah Fawcett Shampoo by Faberge, I used it. I was 13 and she was my first celebrity crush. She Rocked My World! The inspiration of Jiggle TV is gone…but an Angel eternally! And Eternally HOT!

Michael Jackson wanted to “Rock With You” but ended up bringing the whole world along with him as he Moonwalked to KING OF POP superstardom and rocking EVERYONE’s world in the process. As far as the “IT” factor goes, he had it in spades. You couldn’t get any hotter than Michael Jackson. The man could write, sing & dance like nobody’s business. I will forever regret that I never saw him in concert. I went through the whole “white sock/black loafer” fashion phase obviously inspired by MJ. Granted, Mike got freaky in the last decade or so, but hey, I admire his DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH attitude. Saturday night cocktails at The Tic Toc Room was a Michael Jackson music marathon. Though he has been out of the public eye for quite a few years, you have give the man credit…his songs make up the soundtrack of our lives. My drinking buddies weren’t as entertained as I…until they saw me Moonwalk out of the bar…Literally! Man, I was impressed that I could still do it.

See you at the THRILLER DANCE in downtown Macon this Halloween. Thank you to The 11th Hour for this annual tribute. The King of Pop has left the building! God Bless the King.

Ok, I’m hooked…like heroine-addict to Blip.Fm. Have you checked it out yet? It is Super Hot! Go BLIP yourself. You’ll dig it.

Dinner Parties are Hot! I was fortunate to be invited to two this past week. Thank you to Ned & Priscilla Esser for the first and Carey Pickard & Chris Howard for the second. Though I can Moonwalk, I cannot cook…so I’m very appreciative of the invitations. Keep ‘em coming!

Speaking of hot, read Priscilla’s Tales of the PATTED bra at The Fabulous SoChi Life.

I’m Leavin’ On a Jet Plane tomorrow…so my next post will be on “island time.” In a place far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain. And not so HOT. Thankfully!

“Lovely Is The Feelin’ Now
Fever, Temperatures Risin’ Now
Power (Ah Power) Is The Force The Vow
That Makes It Happen
It Asks No Questions Why (Ooh)
So Get Closer (Closer Now)
To My Body Now
Just Love Me
‘Til You Don’t Know How (Ooh)
[Chorus]
Keep On With The Force Don’t Stop
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Keep On With The Force Don’t Stop
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Keep On With The Force Don’t Stop
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Keep On With The Force Don’t Stop
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

First Friday’s Independence Day Beach Blast! July 3rd. 5-7 pm: Beach Party in Third Street Park. Music, Sandcastle Building & Beach Balls! For a complete listing of First Friday events, please visit http://www.newtownmacon.com.

Twilight Fans TwiTour July 10 – 12 @ the Westin Buckhead

The Bolingbroke Southern Jam benefiting Beau Slocumb. “An evening of great (Southern) music under the stars in beautiful Bolingbroke, GA.” July 25th. 4p – midnight.

Mose Davis “SUNSHINE” CD Release Party. July 26th. 6-9p. The SoChi Gallery.

PARTY @ THE PARTHENON, a Greek-themed costume party. July 31st @ The SoChi Gallery.

DOCS WHO ROCK! Macon Arts’ Taste of Music. August 15th @ The Blacksmith Shop. 7p-10p. If you are a doctor who’d like to be a celeb chef at this year’s event, contact Macon Arts @ 478-743-6940.

Weaver’s Weekend, August 29th. The Armory Ballroom. 8p-Midnight. $35 er person, open bar, meal included and music by John Dunn and the Jazzmen. All of the proceeds go to support Vine Ingle and the Mike Weaver Scholarship fund.

“You walked in to the party like you were walking onto a yacht.” OK, people have you EVER been to a party @ The SoChi Gallery? Seriously, Priscilla Esser is the living embodiment of that verse sung by Carly Simon. This past Friday was The Studio 54 Party. Priscilla, dressed as “Bianca Jagger,” made her dramatic Cleopatra-style entrance atop a Tiger skin palanquin carried by 4 saronged boys: Anthony Ennis, Scot Cooley, Troy Tarpley & Pat Frost. ME-OW! WOW-WOW!

The SoChi Gallery was transformed into Studio 54 with a limo out front, the Velvet Ropes at the door, a line of folks in a que waiting to get in, nightclub lighting, a disco ball atop the amazing DKH Entertainment’s DJ setup, the authentic Studio 54 logo projected onto the wall by Macon Lights, the iconic Moon & Coke Spoon and a Warhol on the wall. Official Paparazzi included: Anna Scott and Gilbert Lee

NoChi dweller Daly Smith said, and I quote, “”If you’d told me 5 yrs ago I’d be at a party on Second Street and would have a problem finding parking spot I’d say you are crazy! Cheers to you for accomplishing the impossible!” I’ll take it.

This party was proof that Andy Warhol’s “Everyone’s Famous for 15 Minutes” quip rings true! Most of the guests were dressed in Retro-Fabulous “Disco Attire” but there were a few standouts that I must give props to. Craig Hamilton rocked it as “Iggy Pop,” Priscilla Esser, of course, as “Bianca Jagger,” Starling Thornsberry & Anna Stripling were gorgeous in their glittery frocks & very big hair, Christopher Brooks’ “Village People Indian,” Kim Sandefur’s maxi-lashed “Raquel Welch,” Mitch Kersey defined Glitter as “Studio 54” with disco ball septer in hand, “Porn-Stached Marcus Simmons and Jenn Hayslip’s “Supermodel Gia.” Jessica Garcia really POPPED in her Bubble Wrap dress. Jason Ancho was a perfect “Club Kid.” The Tampa foursome, Tommy & Alicia Rossiter and Todd & Kimberly Davis, blew into Macon ready to Disco-down…and they ALL looked the part.

As the clock struck Midnight and the moon jumped over the coke spoon, confetti was thrown down from the catwalk…making everyone just a little more sparkly!

The glitter faded and the sleep deprivation set-in on Saturday. What makes for good hangover food? The Fish Taco from Acapulco’s Mexican Restaurant! Yum, Yum. Especially if paired with their top shelf margarita. The hair of the dog, as they say.

Family Day Sunday was spent with the Atlanta Braves & Milwaukee Brewers at Turner Field. Braves won 8 to 7.

Go BING yourself! Check out the newest search engine. Besides “Bing It!” sounds funkier than “Google It!”

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Macon Little Theatre Kid’s Production of “ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.” Performances: Friday, June 12 – 7:30PM; Saturday, June 13 – 2:30 & 7:30 PM; Sunday, June 14 – 2;30 pm

TRUE BLOOD Second Season premieres Sunday on HBO @ 9pm.

Y-O’S Poetic Peace Open Mic@ the 567 Every Tuesday. 7p til 10p. 567 Cherry Street.

DOCS WHO ROCK! Macon Arts’ Taste of Music. Saturday, August 15th. 7-10p @ The Blacksmith Shop. If you are a doctor who’d like to be a celeb chef at this year’s event, contact Macon Arts. 478-743-6940.

Check out my new column about mixing & mingling: “The SoChi Life” in the June/July issue of Macon Magazine.

DRIVE. DRINK. ZINGO. $20 plus $2 per mile. Way cheaper than a DUI & no driving around looking for your car the next day. They pick you up in your car and drive you home. 478-254-6555.

SO CAMPY!
Camp Discovery at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. June 8-26 and again July 13-31. Children must have completed kindergarten, but cannot have completed the 6th grade. Museum members receive a discount for camps, and a $20 discount is given to families registering more than one child. 478-477-3232

Summer Kids Flicks @ AmStar Movie, Popcorn & a Drink for only $3. Every Tuesday & Wednesday @ 10am.

Looking for a cool summer camp for your kiddos? Well check this one out: Macon Clay Hand-building clay classes for ages 6 & up. 478-731-1376

Rock Star Camp! The 2nd Annual Otis Redding Singer/Songwriter Camp June 22-26, 2009. Geared for ages 12-17. The camp is $100 and includes lunch. Applications are available online at http://www.georgiamusic.org/ or at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Museum.

Call me a hedonist, but I love a great party – and I’m not ashamed to admit it! Hell, I live to party. Lucky for me I do it for a living. And by “it” I mean plan parties and events. I also admit that I’m attracted to shiny things and nothing says shiny like a big, beautiful Disco Ball!

In the late ‘70s there was no bigger party than Studio 54, the most famous nightclub in the world. Studio 54 ruled the night and for the creatures of the night, Studio 54 was Mecca. It was there that Bianca Jagger mounted a white horse and famously rode it through the velvet ropes and into legend, becoming an icon of the disco era.

Well, folks, listen up … 1977 is back with a hedonistic vengeance. Burn, Baby, Burn. The SoChi Gallery is turning into a Disco Inferno this Friday night. And the SoChilites are about to ignite! Put on your boogie shoes and meet me at The Studio 54 Party and let’s Do the Hustle.

There is a new foodie spot in town and its name is Lemongrass. Thai baby Thai. Ok, I must admit I have a weakness for the Indonesian cuisine, but I must say I’m so happy to have a local access. A “must” is the “Thai in a Glass” Signature Cocktail. One just makes you yearn for another .. and another. Lemongrass has the feel of a big-city “IT” place and makes a nice addition to the Cherry Streetscape. Thai food is my fave…so much in fact that Thailand was my honeymoon destination. Their Shrimp Basil Roll on the Tapas menu is a must.

This past Sunday we celebrated “Family Day” at Six Flags. OK, the secret to success is to purchase the Gold Flash Pass in addition to the admission ticket. The price varies depending on how many are in your group. For a party of four it’s about $40/person. The pass will eliminate all wait times and make you a very happy camper.

TRUE BLOOD: The Complete First Season” is out on DVD. Catch up on the Fang-banging before to the second season of TRUE BLOOD premieres June 14th on HBO.

SO CAMPY!

Looking for a cool summer camp for your kiddos? Well check this one out: Macon Clay Hand-building clay classes for ages 6 & up. 478-731-1376

Rock Star Camp! The 2nd Annual Otis Redding Singer/Songwriter Camp June 22-26, 2009. Geared for ages 12-17. The camp is $100 and includes lunch. Applications are available online at http://www.georgiamusic.org/ or at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Museum.

Camp Discovery at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. June 8-26 and again July 13-31. Children must have completed kindergarten, but cannot have completed the 6th grade. Museum members receive a discount for camps, and a $20 discount is given to families registering more than one child. 478-477-3232

Summer Kids Flicks @ AmStar Movie, Popcorn & a Drink for only $3. Every Tuesday & Wednesday @ 10am.

Future Love Paradise

Famed Fashion Photographer Richard Avedon Photography Exhibit @ The International Center of Photography, New York City. Now through Sept. 6th.

DISCO NEVER DIED. It was just Resting Up for US! STUDIO 54 PARTY @ The SoChi Gallery is a ‘To Be Real’ deal. Friday, June 5th. 9pm until.

Check out my new column about mixing & mingling: “The SoChi Life” in the June/July issue of Macon Magazine.

DRIVE. DRINK. ZINGO. $20 plus $2 per mile. Way cheaper than a DUI & no driving around looking for your car the next day. They pick you up in your car and drive you home. 478-254-6555.

I Want to Rock-N-Roll All Night!
Goth Rocker Peter Murphy @ The Masquerade in Atlanta, June 23rd