The Southern Crescent Chorale will conclude their 2007-2008 concert season with the excitement of the Big Apple at their Villages Amphitheater concert entitled “A New York State of Mind.”

Fayetteville art show offers families many activities

It’s time once again for one of Fayette’s oldest and most prized traditions: the Old Courthouse Art Show. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the annual art show will once again take place over two days this weekend. On Saturday, May 17, the show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, May 18, the show will run from 12 to 5 p.m.

Movie critics seem to have their claws out this week as reviews for the two newest movies to hit the box office have received sub-par ratings. To see why Mike Boylan disagrees with critics about “Speed Racer,” check out his column. To see why I disagree with critics about “What Happens in Vegas,” keep reading.

If you have read the reviews for “Speed Racer,” you’d think this kids movie was the second coming of “Ishtar.” Let me tell you, it’s not that bad. I actually enjoyed it. Granted, I thought parts of “Ishtar” were funny, too, but hey, to each his own. I do think that numerous reviews have been way too harsh on “Speed Racer,” though, and I urge you to check it out for yourself.

The South Metro Rose Society will be holding its 23rd annual Rose Show on May 17 and 18 at Hood Avenue Elementary School in Fayetteville, Ga.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 26 and will be observed at 11 a.m. at the Fayetteville city cemetery with the American Legion Post 105 traditional ceremony to honor America's veterans, several of which are interred there. All citizens in the Fayette County area are invited.

The Fayette Care Clinic located at 128 Sumner Road, just off Highway 54 in Fayetteville, is holding their first Health Fair & Blood Drive on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This Saturday the community will come together to benefit victims of domestic violence at the Holllingsworth House in Fayetteville, while indulging in some sweet treats at the Chocolate Explosion event. The City Cafe, Publix, Kroger's and many other local businesses have generously donated a variety of chocolate treats for guests to sample and enjoy all they can eat. Proceeds will benefit Promise Place, which serves over 1,000 women and children each year in Fayette, Pike, Upson and Spalding counties.

Kansas will be returning to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater this weekend when they perform on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at the Peachtree City venue.

Bang off your running shoes and lace them up, because it’s time for the 16th annual Old Courthouse 5K Road Race, to be run Saturday, May 17 in Fayetteville, Ga.

This week Peachtree City, Ga. joins hundreds of cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognition of the 25th annual National Tourism Week. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event celebrates the value and scope of the nation’s $740 billion travel and tourism industry, and the economic and social contributions it brings to Peachtree City, Ga.

Classical Dance Theatre has announced its spring concert, “A Choreographer’s Showcase,” to be held Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sandy Creek High School auditorium in Tyrone, Ga.

The Community Welcome House’s annual 5K Run/Walk to Domestic Tranquility for victims of domestic violence is scheduled for May 24, in downtown Newnan.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the party man chairman of Stark Industries, a company that sends weapons worldwide. When Tony must go to a conference in Afghanistan to show the military his new missile, it’s a success. Everything is going Tony’s way.

“Iron Man” has everything a summer blockbuster should have.

• Charming, yet flawed hero? Check. Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark is the guy all the ladies love and the guy all other guys wish they could be.

Show your patriotic spirit by wearing your red, white and blue and head over to the Fayetteville Villages Amphitheater for a free Memorial Day tribute concert on Saturday, May 24. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Villages Amphitheater will be rocking Saturday, May 3 as the Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta 2008 Concert Series kicks off the summer season with the well-known sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revisited performing many of the their classic hits such as “Bad Moon Rising,” “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and “Run Through the Jungle.”

I had been looking forward to “Baby Mama” ever since I saw the first preview, so I couldn’t wait to see it this week for my review. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up again for this comedy about modern day baby-making. In a time when an increasing number of women are opting to pursue alternate methods to enter the world of parenting, i.e. in vitro fertilization, adoption and even surrogates, it’s only fitting that Hollywood would eventually broach the topic. What better way is there, then, than a comedy starring two of the funniest women on TV.

Jason (Michal Angarano) is a South Boston teen who loves kung-fu films. He can always get them at the video store run by old Hop (Kung-fu action star Jackie Chan) and the two are friends. One day when he is at the shop, Jason notices an old bo staff, which Hop says was supposed to be picked up by a man who never showed up.

I’m sorry, dear readers, but I did not make it to “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” this weekend. I wanted to. I liked the first movie and thought this one had some promise, but, the timing didn’t work out. I’ll wager a guess that unless you saw the first film, there is no way in Hades you are seeing this one.

Belk’s Charity Sale on May 3 will once again benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company’s 16-state market area. The four-hour in-store shopping event provides an outstanding fund-raising opportunity for participating organizations and a chance for customers to support worthwhile charities and take advantage of special discounts on purchases made during the event.

Avery Park’s unique charm will be on display during the community’s Gourmet Chocolate Tour of Homes. The Gourmet Chocolate Home Tour, sponsored by The Home Source Realtors, will give visitors an opportunity to appreciate Avery Park’s small town, historic feel as they tour exceptional homes and experience Avery Park’s family-focused lifestyle firsthand.

Weekend filled with events for all ages

Experience the sights and sounds of World War II when the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing hosts the fifth annual WWII Heritage Days this coming weekend. The event will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Historical Airpower Facility, Falcon Field, on April 26 and 27 and will bring together vintage vehicles and aircraft, WWII veterans, guest speakers and reenactors from throughout the southeast to pay tribute to The Greatest Generation, the men and women who won the second World War.

The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Rent,” written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, is coming to The Fox Theatre in Atlanta for five performances from April 25-27.

Yes, this film comes from the guys behind “Knocked Up” and “Superbad,” and yes, the humor tends to be on the more suggestive side, but if “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” are like swarthy, foul-mouthed lotharios at a singles bar, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” wants to take its time and get to know you better and it’s O.K. if you just want to be friends. That amiable and genial attitude puts a smile on your face early on, keeps you laughing and chuckling throughout and will have you remembering it fondly for days afterward. “Knocked Up” and “Superbad,” two films I loved by the way, are great for the occasional one night stand a few times a year, but “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” just might be marriage material.

With a solid cast and an interesting premise, commercial director Noam Murro makes the transition to feature films with the new indie flick “Smart People.”

Fayetteville Main Street and Lane Brown Properties presents Lunch on the Lawn on Friday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the historic Fayetteville Courthouse. The Rick Massengale Trio will perform at this free event and Pies-On Pizza will be onhand selling box lunches.

Two new programs have been added to this year’s celebration of Georgia Cities Week. For 2008, April 20-26 has been selected as Georgia Cities Week.

The American Red Cross – Coweta County Chapter is currently in the planning stages for its fourth annual HEROES fund-raising campaign. The HEROES campaign, scheduled to run April 27 through May 19, raises funds to support ongoing disaster relief and health and safety programs for Coweta County residents. The target goal this year is to raise $75,000 for much needed services in the county.

April 19 date set for downtown Newnan event

The Newnan-Coweta Art Association (NCAA) will host its annual Spring Fine Art & Craft show on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., around the historic Courthouse Square in downtown Newnan. Traditionally the NCAA hosts its show in conjunction with the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society’s Tour of Homes, also slated for the April 19-20 weekend.