Escape, I Need A Break

Escapism. I need me some.

Currently my stress level is bubbling over like a Coke with a Pop Rocks chaser, shaken not stirred.

Well, trouble is I already had a big shot of escapism last weekend with Cirque du Soleil’s “Totem” here in Atlanta. Flying frog people, unicycling Asian gals in ornate costumes and bone smashing cavemen did the trick. The music helped, too, providing an audio magic carpet ride to send my imagination into the clouds.

I was lucky enough to chat with “Totem” band leader Charlie Dennard for my radio program, “The Pop Culture King Show.” (It airs 8 p.m. Nov. 2; 10 a.m. Nov. 3 on AM 1690 in Atlanta and streams live at www.1690wmlb.com. If you miss it, it’ll be archived sometime the week of Nov. 5 at http://1690wmlb.com/shows/pck/)

A Macon, Ga.-bred fella, Charlie was a blast to chat with and really gave me some awesome insight into the musical world of Cirque du Soleil. Dennard, who was a student of Ellis Marsalis at the University of New Orleans, has some great stories, including one involving an impromptu jam with Paul McCartney.

“Totem” was amazing and all, but I’m in need for another shot of escapism. This time it may come in the form of chop-socky kung fu moves and fountains of fake blood.

RZA, of Wu Tang Clan fame, is making his directorial and leading man debut with “The Man With the Iron Fists,” which arrives in theaters this weekend. I hear from RZA and co-writer and producer, Eli Roth on this week’s show, too. 

The movie is a roundhouse kick love letter to the classic Shaw Brothers martial arts flicks of old. Yet, the RZA’s version has a top shelf cast including Russell Crow and Lucy Liu. 

The buzz is big for this one. The limited edition poster at www.mondotees.com is already sold out. 

The RZA and Eli Roth interviews have me psyched, and I’m ready to transport myself to the film’s mythical Jungle Village.  

For those of you out there who are percolating like me, go see “Totem” or listen to my radio show and escape. Or maybe I’ll run into you at a screening of “The Man With the Iron Fists.” Just don’t Bogart that popcorn.