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Entertainment Page 8 Clark Atlanta University Panther April 29, 1991 Leon Ends 1st Season Kenny Leon, the Clark College graduate whose appointment as the Alliance Theatre's artistic director literally made history, will conclude his first season by taking center stage in one of August Wilson's most memorable roles. He will play Levee, the dynamic trumpeter in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," at the Alliance Theatre until June 2. The opening night is May 1. As an actor, Leon has been seen on virtually every stage in the city as well as on television and screen. He is the only black artistic director of a major American theater, with the exception of Lloyd Richards, who will retire form Yale Repertory Theatre in June. Prior to his appointment as artistic director, he was a member of the Academy Theatre's resident company for nine years. His recent acting credits include Jomandi's production of 'That Serious He-Man Ball," "Swize Banize Is Dead" at the San Jose Rcpetory Theatre, "Master Harold .. and the boys" in that Alliance Studio, and a special guest appearance on two episodes of NBC's "In the Heat of the Night." Dwight Andrews will direct Leon in his Mainstage debut. Andrews, musical director for all of Wilson's work on Broadway, will debut as a director with this award-winning play. Leon will share the spotlight with Saundra McClain who will portray the charismatic, shrewd songbird, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey. McClain has appeared in numerous Broadway productions including "For Colored Girls," "Bubbling Brown Sugar," and "The River Niger." Her off- Broadway credits include "From the Mississippi Delta," "The Colored Museum," and "Black Girl." Gertrude "Ma" Rainey was bom in Columbus, Ga., in 1886. This legendary singer defined the "classic" blues style which featured a strong, clear, unequivocal melody line, rich in blue notes, and delivered in tones which are poignant, regal and intensely moving. Show times for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Matinees will be offered on some Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are SI6-29. For ticket information, call 892-2414 Featured in the photo is Saundra McClain as Ma Rainey along with her back-up band, (from left to right) Frederick Charles Canada, John Lawhorn, Hugh Hurd (seated) and Kenny Leon. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" recreates a recording session with legendary songbird Gertrude "Ma" Rainey in a seedy Chicago studio in 1927. Atlanta Offers Bargain Partying For Students By NIC HELL J. TAYLOR Contributing Writer A good party—one that is "hype," "dope," "slammin,"’ "pumped-up" or "smooth," depending on one's tastes—is an integral, and often necessary part of college "culture." Whether you like top 40, house, hip-hop, new-jack, jazz or rap, the heart of Atlanta beats with a variety of clubs for crowds under and over age 21. But there is one problem. Clubs can be expensive, and most Atlanta University Center students cannot regularly afford to expand their already-tight budgets. The following information will help students find the best party in town. One of the most popular 21-and-over clubs downtown is Dominique's, located at 505 Peachtree St., N.E., which bears the name of Atlanta Hawks' star forward, Dominique Wilkins. The 1200-person capacity dance palace features two dance floors and a "relaxed, mellow " atmosphere on some nights and "high-energy" during others, said manager Wanda Wilkins, sister of the club's namesake. "Our clientele is mainly 25 and over. It's not your younger crowd. We don't dim our lights too dark so you can't see the person your dancing next to," she said. "Once a student enters college, he may w.ant to party with an older crowd and not with someone with a teenage mentality. We can offer that." Dominique's is open Wednesdays through Saturdays until 3 or 4 a.m. playing variations of rhythm and blues. Wednesday is Ladies' Night, when women are admitted free all night and men must pay a $5 cover charge. This night also stages a hot pants and miniskirt contest so ladies may "strut their stuff." Thursday is Men's Night when the men get in free until 11 p.m., afterwhich they must pay $5. Ladies pay a $5 cover all night. Thursday is also V-103 night from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Regular admission is $8 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night (Jazz Night). The most "live" party night, Ms. Wilkins said, is Saturday until 4 a.m. Further up the street at 571 Peachtree is The Parrot, which is "strictly jazz," said Rene' Castro, general manager of the 21 and over, full-staff restarant, which features live bands Tuesday through Saturday nights. Tuesday and Wednesday, Morehouse College musical director Ron Smith and his band, The Jazz Collective, soothe their audience. Thursday and Sunday, the William Green Trio performs, and Friday and Saturday highlights the sounds of Simon Carter and the Northside Band. Club admission is free except for the $6 charge Friday and Saturday. Friday from 6-8 p.m., The Parrot has the "hottest Happy Hour in town" with free admission and dinner buffet, said Castro. Deion's features variations of rhythm and blues and caters mainly to a crowd between 25 and 35 years old, although anyone over 21 is admitted. The scene is usually energetic with the two-level, 400-person dance floor as the main attraction, said Jo Wheeler, assistant manager. "We have about a 750 capacity, but we usually get out 900 people in here on our busy nights," Ms. Wheeler said. Patrons can party Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Saturday 8 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free Wednesday until 11 p.m. Then cost is $3. Thursday, Ladies Night, featuring an exotic male dance review, is free for women until 11 p.m., then cost is $3. Men pay $5 all night. Happy Hour is Thursday and Friday with the regular provisions. Friday and Saturday cost is $7 all night. Interstate 20 east to 2572 Candler Rd. in Decatur awaits Club Michaels, another over-21, rhythm and blues club that features "College Night" Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. "It's so packed in here that you can't move," said manager Pam Childs. The 800-capacity establishment has two dance floors that fit 500 people. Club Michaels even charters a bus every Wednesday to pick up students from all Atlanta black colleges free of charge. The bus runs about every hour, she said. Students can call 241-8299 for times and routes. College night is free for ladies and $4 for men until 10 p.m. Then everyone pays $5. Thursday is the familiar Ladies Night when women are admitted free until 11 p.m., then cost is $5. Men pay $7 all night. Club Michaels offers Happy Hour Thursday 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday 4 to 8:30 p.m. with free admission. On these days, when the after-work crowd disperses, the "jam" rages until 4 a.m. On Tuesday night for a $5 charge, V-103 and Coca-Cola sponsor and tape a dance party, which airs Wednesday night on Channel 36. There are, however, clubs in Atlanta specifically for young adults between ages 14 and 21. Sharon's Showcase, located at 2549 Gresham Rd., S.E. highlights rap and dance Saturday only from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. and hold 700 people. Cost is $6. Celebrities A1 B. Sure, 2 Live Crew and Michel 'le have performed there, according to owner Sharon Blakely. Other under-21 establishments are Mardi Gras at 6300 Powers Ferry Rd., N.W. for house and dance lovers and Screamin' Wheels for adults and teens at 1724 Steward Ave., S.W., where patrons can enjoy the dance floor or the large roller skating rink. All of the establishments mentioned share the ability to attract some of the biggest names in entertainment. Who knows? Some day, you and Kim Fields may exchange phone numbers. Or Wesley Snipes, who has been spotted at Dominique's, may buy you a drink. "It's packed in there then. This is mainly a black, classy sophisticated, professional clientele. The high-society crowd of doctors and lawyers will definitely offer students an alternative if they really like jazz,” said Castro. "It is not a dance club. The sit-down party where sometimes you want to chill also makes for an ideal first date." Even further up the road at Colony Square in Midtown is Petrus, "the largest dance club in the Southeast," with a 7,000 square foot dance floor that fits 3,000 people, said Wayne Socco, front manager. Approximately 6,000 can fit inside the club's various components including a cafe area, champagne room, patio, lobby and pool area, he said. All kind of music from rock to rap make this cosmopolitan establishment one of the most popular hangouts among such famous personalities as Whoopie Goldberg, Kim Fields, Emilio Estevez, Grace Jones and "In the Heat of the Night," cast members. "You name it, it's here. If it ain't, it'll arrive in five minutes" said Sacco. "People choose us because everyone is treated fairly and everyone is carded—age 8 to 80, blind, crippled or crazy!" Club hours are Sunday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Saturday 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring progressive music on Thursday. A mostly gay crowd frequents on Tuesday and Sunday night for $3, but everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is welcome. Wednesday, Ladies Night, women are admitted free all night and men pay $5. Thursday and Friday cost is S5 and Saturday $7. North to Buckhead, bouncer Jerry Singleton raves about the more intimate, soulful setting of Zasu's, located at 1923 Peachtree Rd. Zasu's dance floor holds about 60 peolple in the 300 capacity club, he said. "You get good music in a nice, clean atmosphere, perfect for socializing," Singleton said. "Some clubs are so crowded, you can't really socialize closely," he said. He added that patrons must be mature and well-dressed. "If they're not, I simply don't let them in." Zasu's allows organizations to host private parties and set their own admission fee Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday while keeping the club open to the public. Thursday is Ladies Night when V-103 broadcasts The Quiet Storm radio program live. Jazz and Happy Hour with free admission and buffet is Thursday and Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The best time to party, is Saturday between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., Singleton said. Most of the time Zasu's lets the crowd determine closing time. Admission is free all nights until 10:30 p.m. when cost is $5. North to Marietta—about 15 minutes away— to 3000 Windy Hill Rd. is Deion's Club 21 (formerly Dominique's), named after another star athlete, Deion Sanders who plays with the Atlanta Braves.