AP photo

Denzel Washington, who’s been in Atlanta filming the movie “Flight,” dined at STK Friday evening with a group of friends.

The actor apparently made some new friends while he was there. A neighboring table, evidently recognizing the A-lister, sent over a bottle of Dom Perignon.

The party ended about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Earlier that evening he was spotted at Ocean Prime.

“Flight” is an action thriller in which Washington plays a pilot struggling to overcome personal demons. It’s been filming in numerous metro Atlanta locations including St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Marriott Marquis downtown, an apartment complex off Glenridge Road and Fulton County Airport at Charlie Brown Field.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Denzel Washington and friends enjoy night out in Atlanta »

AP

Britney Spears is going down the aisle one more time.

“OMG. Last night Jason surprised me with the one gift I’ve been waiting for. Can’t wait to show you! SO SO SO excited!!!! Xxo,” she tweeted not long ago.

Jason Trawick, her current honey, confirmed the news to Access Hollywood, which noted that Jason was once Brit’s manager, back when she was married to Kevin Federline.

In early 2004 Spears was married for a matter of hours to childhood friend Jason Alexander and tied the knot with K-Fed later that year.

This most recent engagement caps a days-long celebration for the happy couple. Just the other day Brit tweeted, (Happy birthday) Jason! He looked so cool in the video, that I had to get him a new motorcycle,” followed by a link to J-Tra’s new wheels. “Check out this new Confederate Bike I got him!”

Sounds like things are going to last this time.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Oops, Britney Spears did it again. Got engaged that is »

Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of the late, great Ray Charles, will give a free concert at 7 p.m. tonight at the Salvation Army Temple Corps, 2090 N. Druid Hills Road NE.

She will share her personal story of overcoming adversity through the power of prayer. At a recent performance in Omaha, she discussed her past struggles with drug abuse, KVNO News reported. She also talked about wishing her father had been around more.

“I love my father with my whole heart. I just wish I could have gotten more of him,” she told the audience there.

Charles has recorded an album called “Behind the Shades.” Her repertoire includes renditions of her father’s famous hits including “Hit the Road Jack” and “Georgia On My Mind.”

Major Roni Robbins of The Salvation Army Atlanta Temple Corps calls her visit “an invaluable blessing.”

For more information see the Salvation Army’s website.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Ray Charles’ daughter to give free concert tonight »

Just in time for the holidays, here is the First Family's 2012 portrait. The tableau earned high praise from AJC mom blogger Theresa Walsh Giarrusso, who raved, "I think the subtle coordination in colors is amazing — his tie with Sasha's dress. And then the texture in Malia's and Michelle's dresses. Just love it!" What is *your* holiday wish? Answer our poll, at the left!

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Continue reading In time for the holidays: The Obamas’ new family portrait »

Here’s an interesting blog post from the L.A. Times, detailing how filming projects “continue to fall” in Los Angeles:

“The holiday season is bringing little cheer to the local production economy: location shoots on the streets of Los Angeles fell across all categories last week, reflecting a continued slowdown in film activity during the fourth quarter.”

Why? Simple. Taxes. California does offer tax credits but other locales appear to be offering sweeter deals.

Here in Georgia, of course, you can scarcely traverse a city block without running into a television or movie project underway. Feature films including “Parental Guidance” and “Neighborhood Watch” are wrapping up after months of shooting; television projects including “Local Talent,” starring Nathan Lane and “Coma,” with Geena Davis, have gotten cranked up recently and a slew of made-in-Atlanta films are due for 2012 release.

Generous tax incentives passed by the state legislature in 2008 explain the booming film …

Continue reading Atlanta stealing L.A.’s thunder? »

AP

T.I. will be in downtown Atlanta this New Year’s Eve. The rapper and actor will host a bash at the 200 Peachtree events facility.

Tickets start at $30 for general admission to $2,500 for a VIP table.

Presented by Grey Goose Vodka, the event is scheduled to last from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 3 a.m. New Year’s Day.

The Grammy-winning artist said on his blog that he intends to drop a mixtape at midnight. The title, alas, is not suitable for a family newspaper. Here is the link if you’d like to know more.

T.I., known in legal circles as Clifford Harris, was released from a halfway house at the end of September. He had been in federal custody since an arrest in September 2010 in Los Angeles on drug charges. He was sentenced to 11 months for violating terms of a previous supervised released after being convicted of federal firearms charges.

He told MTV following his release that his time in custody would inspire new work:

“My life inspires my lyrics at all times, so at that …

Continue reading T. I. to host New Year’s Eve bash in downtown Atlanta »

Photo by Sean Drakes for the AJC

Comic actress Bette Midler has been in town filming “Parental Guidance.” The family-friendly comedy also starring Billy Crystal and Marisa Tomei comes out in time for Thanksgiving 2012.

It sounds like Midler made the most of her downtime – she was spotted admiring the holiday decor at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead the other day, and a tipster spotted her at the Lenox mall Hermes store, too. Sources say she frequented Souper Jenny, an Atlanta favorite.

Midler also noted early in her stay that Atlanta loves driving almost as much as it loves calling streets the same name.

“Atlanta has 26 streets called Peachtree. But get this, no peach trees! However, parking lots for DAYS!” she tweeted in October.

Anyway, with “Parental Guidance” wrapping up Midler’s on her way. But not before enjoying one more Atlanta staple: the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

“Sat next to Phaedra (Parks) from Housewives of Atlanta on the plane yesterday, and got me an earful of …

Continue reading Bette Midler and Phaedra Parks: new BFFs »

AJC staff photo/Jason Getz

Erstwhile presidential candidate Herman Cain will appear as a “special guest” at Sean Hannity’s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops, organizers have announced.

Cain, beset with allegations of an adulterous affair by Atlanta businesswoman Ginger White and sexual harassment claims by several women, has kept a low profile since “suspending” his campaign earlier this month.

The event is at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Previously announced guests include comic Jeff Foxworthy and Marine Lt. Col. turned Fox News commentator Oliver North. Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith is on the roster as well.

Tickets range from $44 to $150 and, according to organizers, the event “will help benefit the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, designated for the education of children of U.S. service members who have been killed or permanently disabled in an operational mission or training accident. Proceeds donated to the Scholarship Fund …

Continue reading Herman Cain to appear with Sean Hannity event at Cobb Energy Centre »

My path and the late, great Lewis Grizzard’s never crossed here at the AJC, but colleagues still talk about him sometimes. Namely, how he’d never touch a computer. An assistant would input the legendary columnist’s missives, while he remained a typewriter man.

“They sent him to the 1991 World Series in Minneapolis and he walked in with his portable Smith Corona,” recalled my colleague Tom Stinson. “He typed out a live column on deadline, then got on the phone to dictate it to his personal secretary. She in turn keyboarded it into the AJC computer system.”

Another colleague, Todd Duncan, recalled that Lewis once sent him an email to compliment a headline Duncan wrote for one of his columns – via his assistant, as Grizzard wanted nothing to do with email, either.

So this seems sort of amusing: Grizzard’s books are being re-released in electronic form.

Here is Lewis Grizzard in 1978. He remained a typewriter man. These are all AJC file photos by the way.

Publishers NewSouth Books …

Continue reading Lewis Grizzard titles released in e-book form »

The holidays are upon us. Need a drink? Of course you do.

Here’s a fun roundup of seasonal sips and celebration libations.

Shula’s 347 Grill has a number of special holiday cocktails on its bar menu through the end of the year.

With names like Holly Jolly (gin, vodka and peppermint schnapps garnished with mint leaves) or The Grinch (vodka, peppermint schnapps and dark creme de cacao, with a cute candy candy as a stirrer) each is sure to make your holidays merry and bright. They’re $7 each.

Morton’s The Steakhouse is serving a sparkling cinnamon apple cocktail (Prosecco, Lindemans Pomme Green Apple Lambic and whipped cream) at its Buckhead and downtown locations through the end of the year. They’re $14.

The Family Dog is hosting a Dec. 15 cocktail hour for charity. Bring a winter coat to be donated to the Atlanta Day Shelter and pay just $5 each for seasonal drinks including The Olympic (VSOP cognac, orange juice, Creole Shrubb, orange bitters); the Winter Cocktail (spiced …

Continue reading Cheers! »