If Looks Could Kill - Beauty and Fashion Workstop @ Tracy Nicole Boutique

Toyota and Essence invite you to experience the intrigue of the IFLOOKSCOULDKILL.COM fashion event!

If you choose to accept this mission, you will enjoy a beauty and fashion workshop by Essence Magazine's fashion and beauty features editor, Pamela Edwards, plus shopping discounts and free gifts.

When: Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 2:00 to 4:00 PM

H.I.V. A Play on Words

Here In Vain (H.I.V.) written by acclaimed poet, director and author NADIRAsimone has reached such acclaim in it's original home, the theater, that its script has now been published in the form of a book, by the same title. What is so poinant about this book is that the story recounts the life of a young black woman in her mid 20's who is HIV+. She fights a war within herself as well as dealing with the war going on in the world. The play/book is set in the early 2000s and poses the quesiton to all of its readers, Is it possible to fall in love with someone who is HIV+? While the question's relevance is not one of fairytales in todays world with the spread of HIV on the rise, especially in the black community, as a reader, one is able to pose that question to herself.

Not only is the book thought provoking and intriguing, it is so masterfully written that it is hard to believe such a horrifying disease can come in such a poetic package. Along with book sales, there is also soundtrack available which features spoken word pieces from the play. A more beautifully written tragedy has not existed since the time of Romeo and Juliette.

The book can be purchased online at www.seed2treeproductions.com and an upcoming list of venues for performances is yet to come. For future updates, you can find information on their Myspace page at www.myspace.com/seed2treeproductions. And, if you just can't get enough of NADIRAsimone's work, she can be frequently spotted at Open Mic Night at Apache Cafe on Sundays performing her work.

"And this is a modern day love story, a tale of HIV/AIDS, war and change (the lack and need of) with battles being fought on every corner and by every character. It is a story meant to educate and entertain, for all those someway; Here In Vain. This is my tribute to change" -NADIRAsimone

by Lauren Stephenson

Love the Louvre?

Love the Louvre? No need to go globetrotting to Old Pari, you can find some of the Louvre's most treasured pieces right here in Atlanta. Housed in the High Museum, the Louvre exhibit enters its second year and is making a transition from the first year's theme,The Royal Collections, to the theme of this year, which will be running from October 16, 2007 thru September 2008. The Year Two Exhibit, entitiled The Louvre and the Ancient World, features artifacts from Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Not only can you go and see a world of art that just happens not to be a world away, you can also attend lectures about the art and enlighten yourself on the worlds from which they came. The weekly lecture schedule can also be found on the website for Louvre Atlanta as well as other special events and openings at The High.

Want to make a date of it? What better way to give your lady the world than by treating your sweetie to a night at The High. Table 1280 Restaurant and Tapas Lounge located in the adjoining Woodruff Arts Center makes for a wonderful dinner and cocktails before delving into the art world and with several local Midtown hot spots located merely blocks away, the afterparty will not be hard to find.

Tickets to the Louvre Atlanta exhibit can be purchased online and require appointment times, so planning ahead is a must. Cost for non-members is $18 for Adults, $15 for Students and Seniors. Parking should not prove to be a problem, with spots provided at the Woodruff Arts Center Garage and several other designated buildings nearby.

With the holidays drawing near, tickets to The High would make a wonderful present and a membership would be an amazing upgrade, since the Louvre will be partnered with the High until 2009. Don't miss the chance to experience an exhibit that will be here today and gone sooner than you know!

by Lauren Stephenson

Take a Lucca...Tony Lucca

Once again the greatest underground acoustic wonder you have never heard of is hitting the road and making a stop here in Atlanta on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at Smith’s Olde Bar in Midtown. I had the pleasure of discovering Mr. Lucca last year after his concert was recommended to me by a west coast friend of mine. I was blown away, once you get a taste of his music samplings, you will be too. I am coming back for fourths this time and can hardly wait! This time around, he will be part of an act that includes sets from other singer songwriters such as Keaton Simons, Sun Domingo and Curtis Peoples.

A little known fact about Tony Lucca is that he is a graduate of the infamous Mickey Mouse Club class of the 90’s that spawned Justin, Britney, JC and Kerri Russell. As a matter of fact, he was dating Kerri Russell back in her Felicity days and even stuck by her after that dreadful haircut, which bumps up his credible man points in my book.