Pass the stress ball, I need a squeeze. I’m finding that the candle has more than “both ends” because I’m burning from several different directions. I need to mouth breathe….deep inhales.

An escape to the island of Tybee is just what I needed….thank you to Stacye & Lannie Jarrell for the over the top “cottage.” Actually, I’m down here for a meeting with uber publicist Toren Anderson & author Bernie Schein about creating some upcoming events in Macon. More on that as it unfolds.

Reflection over the past few weeks is enough to put me into a fetal position…let me pull out my SoChi Popcorn & quickly recap.

The 2010 Macon Film Festival has proven that to be the REAL Reel Thing! A-list talent, amazing independent films, national press and filmmakers from all over the country resulted in sell-out crowds proving that this little fest is a force that is only going to continue to grow in the years to come. Once again retaining our title of the “Friendliest Little Film Festival” in the country, “Hollywood” has taken note and tasted the MAGAtini. This is just another example of what diligent networking reaps.

A huge thank you to my fellow festival board members who work their asses off to turn this event into the major success it has become: Tony Long, Tabitha Walker, Elliott Dunwody, Stephanie Shadden, Cindy Hill, Priscilla Esser, Craig Coleman, Julie Wilkerson, Sylvia Boykin, Blaine Whittle, Tony Long, Jr. and the maven of the MAGAtini: BJ Dunwody! Thanks also to actors Jack McBrayer & Illeana Douglas for attending this years fest. Upping the cool factor was the first ever MAGA iChat with actress Carrie Preston following the screening of her film That Evening Sun.

Following the fest was a serious case of the zombieidous, but no time for dying. The 11^th Hour’s Reader’s Choice Awards had me presenting and the SoChi Boutique Warehouse Sale had me trying to avoid a stampede of over 600 people.

All this makes a boy hungry…and no better place to quench those hunger pains than by attending C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar’s launch of their Spring Menu. If you’ve not tried it…go. No question this is one of Atlanta’s best.

Planning & keeping in the zone. SoChi Services is going fashion crazy, cooking up a mystery and on the prowl of a howl in NYC. Stay Tuned.

SEE: THE CRAZIES filmed in Middle Georgia.

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Cox Capitol Theatre’s annual Lawnmower Race @ Amerson Water Works Park. March 20^th & 21^st.

Cherry Blossom Fashion Show @ the City Auditorium. March 25^th. $35/person

A Taste of Bert’s Bistro @ Lemongrass Thai Bistro. March 30^th @ 7pm. A Five course wine-paired dinner by Alan Bass.

SoChi Services is cooking up a mystery! On April 22^nd we will be launching an underground dinner event called the SoChilicious Supper Club. The location will be kept secret until the night of the event. Remember the Raves of the 80’s? well, SoChi Services are bringing them back…only this time, the ecstasy will be the cuisine.

Pull out the big (water) guns and head to Tybee Island for the 2010 Beach Bum Parade . Friday, May 21^st.

“Well I just got into town about an hour ago.  Took a look around, see which way the wind blow.  Where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows?”

And it seemed like an hour was all we were there.  A flock of Maconites flew out to L.A. for the Hollywood premiere of the film “STUCK!”

This was the shortest trip I’ve ever taken to California (like 29 hours)…but it was packed with good times.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Walking down the tourist trap that is Hollywood Blvd on the Hollywood Walk of Fame & finding the star of Melvyn Douglas.  Douglas is the only academy award winning actor to hale from Macon, GA.  He will be honored at the 2010 Macon Film Festival with the newly named Melyvn Douglas Best in Show Award.

We stayed at the historical Roosevelt Hotel, home of the 1st Academy Awards presentation in 1929 & lists Marilyn Monroe as one of it’s former residents.  It’s rumored that the ghosts Marilyn Monroe & Montgomery Clift STILL live there. Well, cocktails cancel out ghosts.  I enjoyed a little pre-premiere reunion with a few ghosts of my past- old friends Kathleen Morgan & Phillip Wilcox @ the Roosevelt’s  pool bar.  Let me say, Time Has Been Kind indeed.

Moving on to pre-premiere cocktails @ the Pig & Whistle with a group of friends from Macon & L.A. A little trivia: Pig & Whistle hosted the 1st Academy Awards after party!

Obviously seeing STUCK! on the big screen was amazing. It was filmed in Macon following the 2009 Macon Film Festival.  Catch its Georgia premiere @ the 2010 Macon Film Festival on Friday, Feb. 19th @ the Cox Capitol Theatre.

The film was fab – as was the after party at the old Hollywood haunt MUSSO & FRANK’s.  I can now say that I closed down the place…a few friends & I were the last to leave, but really, that should come as no surprise to anyone that knows me.

The brightest star on the Blvd is Library Bar’s King of the Cocktail: Matt Biancaniello.  Library Bar located in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel is the perfect Late Night nightcap. Matt’s gourmet cocktails are made with fresh ingredients from the LA Farmer’s Market. This is where the evening ended – with a few old friends and a few new ones we picked up at Musso & Frank’s.

On the 29th hour … I was on a plane: Macon-bound.

“Well, I just go into town about an hour ago. Took a look around, see which way the wind blow. Where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows. Are you a lucky little lady in the City of Lights. Or just another lost angel … City of Night, City of Night, City of Night, City of Night”  – LA Woman, The Doors

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

Spring Breaking is challenge in this economy, but we needed to escape the pollen and recharge our batteries. We left Macon in a downpour. The traffic was at a crawl. Would we miss our flight? The car became The Little Engine that Could..”I think I can, I think I can.” Well, it couldn’t. After doling out a few bucks we got on the next flight out.

We jetted to Philadelphia on Friday then hopped a train to Bryn Athyn, PA. Old friend Missy Thorne Pendleton greeted us at the depot and whisked us off to Starbucks for my first & second Triple Venti Latte of the day! I now realize I am addicted because I was in a fog from 6a-3p without those shots of espresso!
The Sandefur 4 went to Pennsylvania for a weekend of fun, friendship & doctor appointments. The ROARING 20s Party at Cairnwood was a fundraiser for the Beaux Arts high style mansion located in a true estate setting. The place was decked out in Pre-Black Tuesday decadence.

A great Philly find: Capogiro Gelato. OK, if you love real gelato, you’ll LOVE this place. Seriously delish and ½ the fat of ice cream. They will ship up to 6 pints anywhere in the country. Their flavor list changes daily.
After a few doctors appointments at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia we hoped yet another train for New York City. We bought Business Class tickets and couldn’t find a seat. Sitting on the floor of the train’s café seemed all too Great Depression-esque! This is what I’d call the BURNT TOAST of the week. At least NYC is at the end of the track!

It may be Spring but it’s still chilly in NYC. We slipped on some outerwear and hit the streets in search of food. With the economy in the toilet New York isn’t nearly as hopping as it usually is – and dinner reservations are easy to come by. MARS 2112 was the kids’ choice. You get there via space shuttle and are greeted by aliens. Upon arriving in Mars we notice that the place is all too real…we were about the only life forms there. So apparently the bad economy is intergalactic! The $16 hamburger didn’t send me into orbit either. The server said that Brad Pitt was here with his kids two weeks ago and had to leave early because of the “fans”…I’ll say it was probably more the “Food” that made him flee. Kids will get a kick out of the shuttle ride to Mars and the Martians walking around, but this is a “must not” for Foodies.

A Foodie MUST is Serendipity 3. Andy Warhol proclaimed it his favorite sweet shop and stars still flock to this quaint eatery. The real star here is the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate ($8.50) which is one of the best things on earth and you start with that first. They have an unbelievable dessert menu but their food is scrumptious too. Try the Caviar Burger with sour cream and cucumber slices ($18.50) or the High Heel Pump Prosciutto and melted brie on raisin pumpernickel with Russian dressing ($14.50.)

I’m a blue jeans kind of guy and there is no better place to buy them than Abercrombie & Fitch on Fifth Avenue. This has got to be the crown jewel of the chain. I felt like I was at Studio 54! The music is blaring. All the sales people are gyrating models. I mean seriously, it’s had not to get your move on here. And hey, the ACF Models are live and in person here. After buying 3 pair of jeans, I felt 20 years younger.
You have to see a show while you are in the city of Broadway. We saw SHREK, the Musical and Billy Elliott, the Musical. Billy Elliott is a total MUST SEE! It’s excellent. Had my daughter not begun projectile vomiting during the show it would have been near perfection.

We got home in time for my Sunday Haircut by Jack Adams @ Chadwick Hudson Salon. Hey, eyebrow guru Victoria Wright is now there too. She’ll pluck you up.

Do You ZINGO? It’s the COOLEST new thing in town! $20, plus $2 per mile. Way cheaper than a DUI & no driving around looking for your car the next day. They pick you & your car up and drive you home. 478-254-6555. DRIVE. DRINK. ZINGO!

Join The SoChi Tribe and check out my new column in Macon Magazine called The SoChi Life premiering in the June/July issue.

tS

Future Love Paradise . . .

THE WHITE TRASH PARTY
The SoChi Gallery
Friday, April 10th
“Business in the front, party in the back!”

Thirsty Thursday hosted by NewTown Macon
The Patio behind The Hummingbird
Thursday, April 16 from 5 – 7p

FIRED WORKS pottery show & sale, April 17th -26th
@ The Round Building in Central City Park

Historic Macon’s PARTY OF THE YEAR April 25th
This year’s theme is “The Jazz Age.” Flappers & Gangsters, baby! The old Karsten Denson hardware store will become a 1920’s Speakeasy for the night.

“SoChi” (pronounced SoChee) is the new buzz word for South of Chi Chesters Pharmacy – the one on Vineville Avenue. SoChi encompasses MidTown & Downtown Macon. Folks in the know KNOW SoChi is the place to be & be seen. It’s where most of the Macon fun happens. SoChi is sort of a “Phoenix from the Ashes” rebirth sort of thing. Whatever works to get us all into the groove of making our town a hipper place to hang.

Out of this an even newer buzz word has been birthed: “SoChilite.” You are a SoChilite if you live or play (SoChilize) in SoChi. This is one label I happily embrace!

A group of us fled SoChi for Tybee Island this past weekend. It’s a one-tank trip to heaven. We pulled into town late with starving kids so we found Bernie’s Oyster Bar and chowed down. I recommend their Oyster Po-Boy! While dining with two 10-yr olds the clock struck 10p…the bewitching hour that the oyster bar becomes a booze bar! My kids were thrilled to be at a bar for the first time. We quickly finished dinner and headed out the door….only to discover a100th birthday party taking place at Doc’s Bar across the street. Who are we to deny our kids of attending a birthday party? Not us. The sign on the door read “No One Under 21 allowed” which my son pointed out … but the crowd was coaxing the kids to “come on in!” 100 yr old Miss Sylvia was playing the Moroccas with the band as she does most nights. We wished the birthday “girl” a happy birthday and departed. It was a big night…two bars in one night for the kiddies!

Tybee was hosting a media weekend and man, did they ever roll out the red carpet for us. Top media from Atlanta and Macon attended their cocktail party on Saturday night. We mixed, mingled, dined and enjoyed the new wine SASSY BITCH. Thank you Tami Fricks! You, my dear, are the sassiest! Frankly, I like it! You can pick up a bottle at Vineville Beverage. Also a thank you to the city of Tybee for sharing your vibe with us!

The Macon Film Festival (MAGA) is quickly approaching and people are asking, “What is the attire?” Answer: Film Fest Funky! The hot new MAGA T-shirt will do just fine. So…come dressed to SoChilize!

tS

Future Love Paradise . . .

The Great American Trailer Park Musical @ Macon Little Theatre
Feb 6 – 15
For Tickets call 478-471-PLAY

Father/Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance
Friday, February 13th @ Museum of Arts & Sciences, 7 – 9 pm
For Tickets & more info, call 478-477-3232 ext. 200

Macon Film Festival (MAGA)
Feb 19 – 22, 2009
If you would like to be a sponsor, please call Terrell Sandefur @ 478-238-6630. Honored Guests will include: UGA Football Coach Vince Dooley, Actress Carrie Preston of HBO’s “True Blood” and Actress Karen Black of “Airport 75” and “The Great Gatsby.”