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Grand lineup for Southern Exposure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bruce Wells, the architect behind this weekend’s two-day Southern Exposure concert series at Front Page News on Crescent Avenue in Midtown admits he was possibly a little too enthusiastic when booking the festival.
“Originally, it was going to be a three-day event,” conceded Wells, laughing Thursday. “And then I came to my senses. On paper, it was beginning to look like Live Aid!”
Still, the lineup of 22 gay and lesbian singer-songwriters and musical acts Wells has assembled for the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. shows Friday night and Saturday during the city’s annual Pride festival is impressive.
Among those participating: Richard Solomon, Mike Rickard, the Sexual Side Effects, Angela Motter, Eric Himan, the Wayne Fishell Experiment, Sean Kagalis, Richard Bicknell and the Shameless Lovers, Guyton Maurice, Tracy Rice and Flat Cat.
Southern Exposure began a year ago as a weekly live music series at Blake’s on the Park.
Currently, it runs Thursday nights at F.R.O.G.S. Cantina in Midtown. Wells, a graphic designer and illustrator by day, says the eclectic musical mix of acts reflects his own tastes.
“Typically, whenever you go out to a gay club, the first thing you’re hit with is some dance remix of something. I was kinda raised by hippies. I grew up listening to Leonard Cohen, Dylan and punk. Now, I listen to everything from Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Pink Floyd and electronica. I remember thinking: ‘I can’t be all by myself here.’ “
Subsequently, over the course of a year of Thursday nights at Southern Exposure shows, Wells has made a lot of new friends. Atlanta’s gay and lesbian musical community, along with photographers and other artists have been introduced to one another and have become fans of each others’ work.
In fact, Wells’ MySpace page for the Southern Exposure series has evolved into its own networking universe.
“It’s so gratifying,” he says. “I’m not an activist in the traditional sense, but this has become really important to me to put this music and positive energy out there for everyone to enjoy.”
Details: www.myspace.com/southernexposureatlanta.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is 90. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 84. TV talk show host Geraldo Rivera is 65. Percussionist Domingo Ortiz of Widespread Panic is 56. Guitarist Kirk Pengilly of INXS is 50. Bassist Matt Malley of Counting Crows is 45.
OVERSCENE
Ubiquitous Atlanta hip-hop sensation T-Pain was seen watching the Dethklok concert at the sold-out Tabernacle Wednesday night. This was a live-band version of Adult Swim’s cartoon heavy-metal band from its show “Metalocalpyse” and part of 28-city national tour.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Richard Eldredge, Shane Harrison and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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