By Eric Chavez

Viva La Lopez! JLo brings the heat with “Papi,” her latest single from the upcoming Love?. With her third single from the still-yet-to-be-released album (fourth if you count “Louboutins”…fifth, if you count “Fresh Out The Oven”), Lopez has topped herself with this spicy dancefloor anthem produced by RedOne.

Much more than “Alejandro,” JLo’s new song is custom made for all those papi chulos out there. While most contemporary club songs are a bit too robotic, “Papi” has that sexy rhythm that just makes you wanna get all hot n’ sweaty n’ sexy on the dancefloor.

Combining the hot new sounds of the clubs with a little sweet Latin flavor – something reminiscent of 80s-era Gloria Estefan – “Papi” leaves the competition in flames, making the track RedOne’s brightest moment.

One more thing to thank Santa Maria for: no rent-a-rappers! JLo’s finally on her own and soon to be burning up the charts and the clubs with the sweltering sound of “Papi.” Along with the hit singles “On the Floor” and “I’m Into You,” plus the leaks “Invading My Mind,” “Everybody’s Girl” and “(What is) Love?,” Love? shows every sign of being the hottest album of the year. After years of being (unjustly) more top of the flops than top of the pops, JLo is back on top and on fiyah.

Listen to Jennifer Lopez’s “Papi” HERE

Eric Chavez is a New Mexican native who is all about some vibeology – the study of rhythms, beats, and everything in between. Views expressed in this column are purely of Eric Chavez.

The perfect porch drink? Introducing the Citrus Fizz featuring ROKK Citrus Flavored Vodka!

- 1.5 fl oz ROKK Citrus Flavored Vodka

- 3 fl oz Diet Lemonade

- 1 splash(s) Club Soda

- 1 Lemon Wheel

Fill your glass with ice and add the ROKK Citrus Flavored Vodka and diet lemonade. Add a splash of club soda and a lemon wheel garnish and make a toast to refreshing days ahead!

Check out more info and drink recipes at www.thebar.com.

Please Drink Responsibly

One of pop’s biggest mysteries ever has to be why Paula Abdul didn’t take advantage of her American Idol success and release more music during her time on the show. Sure, there were the crazy cool singles, “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” and “I’m Just Here For the Music,” but the woman had nearly a decade and no album? There was a time when Ms. Abdul gave the likes of Madonna and Janet Jackson a run for their money, but after 1995′s floptastic Head Over Heels, Abdul seemed a bit knocked out and gave up on music.

Now on iTunes, Paula Abdul’s collaboration with Shine 2009, “So Free” is actually quite an interesting dance track with a bit of a retro feel – it wouldn’t have been out of place on her 90s albums. A funky house track with a touch of acid jazz, “So Free” has more rhythm than most “dance” tracks out there now. It’s refreshing to listen to something that doesn’t sound like it was produced for robots on the dancefloor. The bad thing is that it is more a Shine 2009 song than a Paula Abdul one, but when she sings, she shines.

The question still remains: will Abdul ever release another album? It’s been nearly 16 years since her last proper LP, and fans are still waiting. Abdul herself is rather cold heartedly vague when asked about a possible LP album in the future. Obviously, Paula still has it, and for now “So Free” proves that Abdul will straight up be forever your girl.

LISTEN TO PAULA ABDUL AND SHINE 2009′S “SO FREE” HERE

Eric Chavez is a New Mexican native who is all about some vibeology – the study of rhythms, beats, and everything in between.

Take a southern tradition south of the border with this unique cocktail laced with the full-bodied flavor of Don Julio Anejo Tequila!

Ingredients:

- 1.5 fl oz Don Julio Anejo Tequila

-1 fl oz Sweet & Sour Mix

- 0.75 fl oz Agave Syrup

- 0.25 fl oz Lime Juice

- 5 Fresh Mint Leaves

- 2 fl oz Club Soda

Get your ice filled shaker and combine the Don Julip Anejo Tequila, sweet & sour mix, agave syrup, lime juice and fresh mint leaves. Shake well! Now pour this winning combo into a well-chilled rocks glass with a salt rim and top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge or sugarcane stick and pat yourself on the back. You’re doing drinks your way!

By Eric Chavez

Samantha James – “Wings of Faith” (Om Records)

Samantha James may not be anywhere to be found on the Billboard 100 or mainstream radio, but she is by far the best new artist of the past few years. Mixing electronica, deep house, chill, pop, soul, and lounge music, James has sensually crafted the perfect musical recipe. You may have heard James’ “Rise,” which topped the dance charts a few years ago, or more recently, “Waves of Change” which Kaskade mixed into a dance floor anthem.

Her new song, “Wings of Faith” makes for one of the most infectious charity songs ever, and all proceeds will go towards the aid of Japan. One reason this track is so luscious is because it avoids the cheesy, insincere trap so many charity songs dive down deep into. “Wings of Faith” consists of a blissfully beautiful dance beat that drips over the artist’s smooth vocals.

If you enjoy this track, make sure to check out Rise and Subconscious, two of the best electronica/chill/pop albums ever produced, if only because James, unlike other dance artists, actually has a, gasp, bassline in her music!

LISTEN TO “WINGS OF FAITH” HERE

Note: Kaskade is appearing at Opera tonight at 9:30PM. Tickets available at www.operaatlanta.com.

Eric Chavez is a New Mexican native who is all about some vibeology – the study of rhythms, beats, and everything in between.

Some might think eating food at a gay bar is about as common as a drag queen in overalls.  But a surprising number of our local watering holes offer up delicious grub.  Is it the typical bar fare experience or is it done with a flourish like a gay establishment should?  Does the food come with those festive pom-pom sticks Cowtippers puts in their burgers?  Do dishes have suggestive names like “Ribs: for his pleasure?”  Fenuxe took a peak inside the kitchens of your favorite night spots.

Amsterdam

The Lowdown: The largest menu filled with burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and a Southwestern menu.  Check out the pimento cheese three egg scramble at their Sunday brunch.

Bonus Points: Unlikely pub fare options like mahi mahi and tilapia.

The Gay Touch: “The P-Town Burger” topped with guacamole, carmelized onions and pepper jack cheese.

Woofs

The Lowdown: A ton of burgers, sandwiches and salads sure to suit any hungry sports fan.  They also offer wedgies – a sandwich on a pizza crust.

Bonus Points: Sports-related names for different courses, like “Pre-Game Warm-Up” for appetizers and “On the Green” for salads.

The Gay Touch: The ever popular “More Meat Than You Can Handle” pizza.

Blake’s

The Lowdown: Burgers, sandwiches, wraps and apps.  The little-known breakfast menu (or “The Morning After” menu as Blake’s calls it) is a must see.

Bonus Points: The Blue Plate Special’s price is listed as “Cheap.  Just Like Your Favorite Man.”

The Gay Touch: The design of the menu is gayer than a frosted tips convention hosted by Lance Bass.

Burkhart’s

The Lowdown: A select group of menu items all done well.  Salads, sandwiches, wings, burgers and seafood.

Bonus Points: Their New York strip is a community favorite.  Also they’re the only gay bar with surf and turf on the menu.

The Gay Touch: Their cheesecake comes with a fruit topping…okay it’s a stretch, get off our backs.

Mixx

The Lowdown: Mixx puts their own spin on it with popular dishes like rosemary infused potato chips and pulled pork egg rolls.  Their Southwestern and gourmet sliders menu is full of hearty choices to peruse.

Bonus Points: The only one on this list where you can eat in a smoke-free environment.

Everyone celebrates the beginning of spring in different ways.  Some clean their homes.  Some OD on Claritin.  But gay people in Atlanta?  We have a tea dance.  And we can thank Joining Hearts for it, as they present The 2011 Change of Seasons Tea Dance on April 14 at The Georgian Terrace Hotel.

This is Joining Hearts’ third year putting on the event, which has moved to a larger space each year from Amsterdam in 2009 to Shout last year and now to The Georgian Terrace.  The money raised goes to the organization’s larger mission of providing housing support to those in Atlanta living with HIV/AIDS.

But Joining Hearts wasn’t the originator of the Change of Seasons party.  It began in 1998 when local man Glen Kinnard came up with the idea to create an event celebrating the arrival of spring, mirroring the White Party in Palm Springs.

Word quickly spread and visitors came from around the southeast for the annual bash.  Change of Seasons veterans are quick to cite the party in 2000 as the pinnacle.  It was held on the top parking deck of the Nike Pavilion and featured DJ David Knapp with a performance by Martha Wash.

“At the height of the party, a very fine mist of rain started coming down to cool the crowd off and created one of those surreal moments that everyone talks about to this day,” says Joining Hearts president Kerry Loftis.

Change of Seasons slowly faded away soon afterwards but was not forgotten.  Joining Hearts resurrected it as a Sunday Tea Dance and fundraiser and it’s now a vital member of the organization’s slate of six annual fundraisers.

Resident DJs Mike Pope and David Knapp will be back for the latest version of the party.  The Joining Hearts team is excited to be at The Georgian Terrace.  “The architecture of the grand ballroom and outdoor terraces create the perfect setting for what we expect to be a fun filled event,” says Loftis.

Change of Seasons will give everyone a taste of what’s in store for one of gay Atlanta’s most talked about events of the year – the Joining Hearts pool party at Piedmont Park Pool on July 23.  But until then, we can toast the new season by dancing the day away at The Georgian Terrace.

Joining Hearts Presents The 2011 Change of Seasons Tea Dance

Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 4PM-9PM

The Georgian Terrace Hotel

$20 in advance/$25 at the door

Tickets available at www.joininghearts.org

Chill out with this sweet, smooth number featuring the bold character and clean finish of Bulleit Bourbon!

Ingredients:

- 1 fl oz Bulleit Bourbon

- 0.25 fl oz Sweet Vermouth

- 1 dash Bitters

-1 Maraschino Cherry

Fill a shaker ¾ full with cracked ice and add Bulleit Bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters. Shake it up and pour your newfound discovery into a glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry to finish off and you’re done! It’s a glass full of Southern sass.

Check out more info and drink recipes at www.thebar.com.

Please Drink Responsibly

Your favorite gay rapper is back with a twisted new video as Cazwell debuts his latest, “Get My Money Back.”

The Massachusetts native is best known for his hit song and video “Ice Cream Truck,” which debuted last summer. Cazwell and his booty-shakin’ backup dancers had viewers transfixed from the start with “Ice Cream Truck” etched in the brains of listeners through the new year.

The shirtless, muscular dancers return for “Get My Money Back,” which features loads of phallic symbols, breakdancing, costumes and one crack slip.

See Cazwell’s new video “Get My Money Back” HERE. Viewer discretion is advised!

Say goodbye to March while refreshing yourself with the smooth, pure taste of Moon Mountain Vodka.

Ingredients:

- 1.5 fl oz Moon Mountain Vodka

- 1 fl oz Lemonade

- 2 leaves Fresh Basil

- 0.25 fl oz Lime Juice

- 2 Cucumber Rounds

Combine all five ingredients in a shaker glass with ice and shake well.  Strain the gimlet into an ice-filled rocks glass, garnish with a cucumber wheel and enjoy!  You’re cooled down and freshened up!

Check out more info and drink recipes at www.thebar.com.

Please Drink Responsibly