Photo from BET.com

Cast members from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” have been savvy about parlaying their notoriety into business opportunities. Kandi Burruss is also a boutique owner, after all, and Kim Zolciak has that “Tardy” song.

But who says the guys can’t get in on the action? Not Ed Hartwell.

We’re told the former NFL player and husband of Lisa Wu Hartwell plans a stage debut next month. He will star in the live performance of “False Profits! God Don’t Like Ugly Saturday,” billed as both play and “old school concert.” The show is at 6:30 p.m. May 8 at the Rialto Theater downtown.

A press release helpfully pointed out that the word “prophets” is rendered “profits,” the homonym serving to note the “controversial topic of pastors who use their church for their own personal monetary gain.”

Ed Hartwell said in a statement about the show, “I am excited about this performance and it is about time someone spoke out about this very serious issue in the …

Continue reading “Housewives” husband to hit the stage »

Photo from HarpersBazaar.com

Nothing says, “Welcome back from vacation” quite like nudie pix of Kim Kardashian.

That’s what we discovered in the ole Buzz inbox this morning.

“Kim Kardashian and Joy Bryant bare all for photographer Amanda de Cadenet in the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar, showing that natural bodies are beautiful,” the fashion mag says of its fashion-free spread. “In a stunning spread that empowers women to celebrate their bodies, the stars forgo retouching, embrace their curves, accept their insecurities and reveal their most intimate thoughts.”

This photo of Joy Bryant is cropped pretty tightly, as you might guess. See the original at HarpersBazaar.com

And just what are those intimate thoughts? Glad you asked.

“I don’t get why everyone is always going on about my butt,” Kardashian tells Harper’s Bazaar. “I’m Armenian. It’s normal. My butt is probably not as big as you might think, because I have small legs and a small waist, which makes it appear …

Continue reading Kim Kardashian, Joy Bryant bare all for Harper’s Bazaar »

Owen Wilson, Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate must have enjoyed the recent filming session at Atlanta’s venerable hangout Johnny’s Hideaway.

Not long after taking over the landmark lounge for a couple of days of shooting for “Hall Pass,” the new Farrelly Brothers flick that’s been filming all over town, the trio returned one night last week. This time just for fun.

“They danced and party all night to the amazement of Johnny’s customer’s,” our source tells us.

A good time was had by all. Make that almost all.

“One dejected man was overheard saying that Christina Applegate wouldn’t dance with him,” our spy says. “Go figure.”

Perhaps her suitor hadn’t heard the news that she recently got engaged? She and musician boyfriend Martyn Lenoble got engaged on Valentine’s Day but haven’t yet set a date.

Continue reading “Hall Pass” stars party at Johnny’s Hideaway »

By Jamie Gumbrecht

Cirque du Soleil will return to Atlantic Station this year with “Ovo,” a portrayal of  “the teeming and energetic world of insects.” The idea gave us the willies, until we calmed down enough to remember those insects will be handsomely costumed and unthinkably acrobatic Cirque performers — 54 in all.  “Ovo,” which means egg in Portuguese, will open Nov. 4, and is directed  by Deborah  Colker, the first female director at Cirque du Soleil. Advance tickets sales begin for Cirque Club members at 9 a.m. today at www.cirquedusoleil.com. (It’s free to join.) Tickets cost $55 to $130.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. This isn’t the first time a grand performance tent has gone up in Atlantic Station; it already has hosted Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” and “Corteo” and the acrobat-and-horse show “Cavalia.”

Continue reading Cirque to present ‘Ovo’ at Atlantic Station »

Anne Lamott’s latest novel, “Imperfect Birds,” will make you relieved if you do not have a teenaged daughter or grateful if the one you have is not a profligate drug user with a string of “friends with benefits.”

“This whole thing about teen girls’ sexual proclivities makes me so sad,” Lamott told us during a phone interview this week. “I wanted to try to understand what it is instead of recoiling.”

The author of number of fiction and nonfiction books, she will be here this week to meet fans and discuss her work. The appearance, at 7 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church at 308 Clairemont Ave. in Decatur, is free and open to the public.

Organized by the Georgia Center for the Book, the event is expected to draw a capacity crowd. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Lamott researched her latest book by hanging out with teenagers in order to reflect their sensibilities in an authentic, nonjudgmental way, but also drew on her own experiences.

“I was that girl as a teenager,” she said. “I loved …

Continue reading Author Anne Lamott in Decatur Friday evening »

Demi Moore and David Duchovny in a shot from "The Joneses." Photo from TimeInc.net

When scouts for the locally shot Demi Moore-David Duchovny movie “The Joneses” went searching for a high-end salon for a few of the scenes, they stumbled into perfection at Muse Salon in Alpharetta.

The 3,000 square foot, 34-chair spot owned by Jody Mason and Daniel Jones was seriously ready for its close-up.

During a recent publicity stop in Atlanta, director Derrick Borte praised the salon for a great collaboration.

“They were wonderful. They really rolled out the red carpet,” Borte told us during an interview. “It had a great look to it. The stylists all looked great. It was Daniel, especially, who said, ‘I want to help you guys. What can I do?’ ”

Shot largely in Alpharetta, “The Joneses” is a dark comedy about consumerism run amok and the creepy influence of strategic stealth marketing. The scenes featuring Muse show Moore’s character getting gorgeous and drumming up …

Continue reading Demi Moore-David Duchovny flick stars Alpharetta salon »

"The Perfect Vintage," by Christopher M.

Kevin Gillespie inspires our imagination, inspires our palates, inspires aspiring chefs.

Now he has inspired original art.

The finalist on Bravo’s Top Chef has been captured in a series of paintings by Vinings Gallery artist Christopher M.

“I feel honored that someone of the caliber of Christopher finds my work to be capable of inspiring a work of art,” Gillespie told us.

The two host a special dinner this Sunday at Woodfire Grill, where the dining room has stayed packed since Gillespie’s strong showing on the cooking reality show. He told us not long ago that while the restaurant probably could cram in a few extra diners, he prefers to eschew the easy profit to ensure every diner has a magnificent experience.

This Sunday’s event, with limited seating, is your shot at having the star chef feed you himself, then chitchat a bit in between courses. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m., with a four-course dinner to follow.

"Hot Night," …

Continue reading The unveiling of “Top Chef” Kevin Gillespie »

Teen pop star Justin Bieber will grace the cover of People appearing on newsstands this Friday.

“What I have is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Bieber told the mag. “And I’m having a blast.”

The Ontario native was discovered on YouTube by Atlanta music industry mogul Scooter Braun and headed south to work with artists such as Usher.

He has chatted up Jay Leno and David Letterman, visited American Idol and performed for the president.

He hits the Gwinnett Arena Aug. 9.

Continue reading Justin Bieber on the cover of “People” »

Photo from EW.com

It didn’t take long for Erykah Badu’s video for “Window Seat” to spawn imitators.

The artist, who’s been cited by Dallas authorities and given a $500 fine for the video, shot in downtown Dallas with no permission for the public nudity, appeared on Wanda Sykes’ television show Saturday night.

Sykes welcomed Badu (who was shod from head to toe in a top hat and long sleeved top and long pants with a gold jacket), with a special filming of the spoof.

“I did something similar,” Sykes said, before rolling “Middle Seat,” her take-off on Badu’s song. (Watch it here). “But it didn’t turn out as good.”

Sykes piece is brief and funny, in contrast to Badu’s work, which is meant to be serious and thought-provoking. She starts out in an outfit similar to the one Badu dropped all over downtown Dallas. Sykes lost a lot less of her laundry than Badu did, and topples over not by gunfire but by tripping over a pants leg.

“That’s dope,” Badu praised. “In the tradition of …

Continue reading Wanda Sykes spoofs Erykah Badu’s nude video »

He's Henry VIII, he is, he is

Hey, who’s ready to chomp on a turkey leg and watch dudes pretending to sword fight?

It’s time once again for the Georgia Renaissance Festival, which will be April 17 through June 6 in the Fairburn/Peachtree City area.

The annual event features all sorts of performers in period costumes, shops and food fit for a king. Speaking of kings, since this is the Festival’s 25th year they’re celebrating by recreating the coronation of Henry VIII.

So, if you want to go without spending thine own silver, Buzz wants to help.

We have four tickets and the most quintessential Renaissance man or woman wins.

Are you an insurance salesperson by day and a goat farmer on the weekends? Do you enjoy both Nascar races and wine tastings? Do you enjoy sporting events and fashion shows?

Hie thee to the computer, fair lords and ladies! The best story wins and I’ll mail them out this week.

Congrats to the Hadaway family, who embody the Renaissance spirit! Have fun at the …

Continue reading Updated with winner! Ye olde Renaissance Fest tix to give away »