By Eileen Tilson

It’s been five years since California’s favorite sock-wearing foursome, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have released their latest album, and to celebrate Warner Bros is hosting hundreds of screenings across the country of Red Hot Chili Peppers LIVE: I’m With You. The worldwide event, taking place August 30 and September 1, features the band playing the new album (out August 30) as well as the oldies but goodies. Make and see where the nearest showing is at http://bit.ly/qsUnFg.

Atlanta Music Guide is giving away two passes for the showing at Merchant’s Walk Stadium Cinemas (1301 Johnson Ferry Rd., Mariett) on September 1 at 8 p.m. Just fill out the form below for your chance to win. We’ll pick the winner on Wednesday, August 31 and the winner will pick up the passes from our office in midtown.

Good news ’80s music fans! Our dark, new wave heroes Depeche Mode are back with a new mammoth release, Tour of the Universe, released today. The DVD/double-CD set was recorded over two nights in Barcelona, and has a impressive line-up of the trio’s classics, as well as a tour documentary, rehearsal footage, and some of Anton Corbijn’s interestingly-titled “screen films.”

You lucky readers have the chance to enter to win a copy of this lovely package, just by filling out the form below. Just remember – U.S. residents only!

This weekend is definitely a bit more relaxed than usual, with the exception of the mammoth food event that is Taste of Atlanta. We get the feeling that everyone is working on their Halloween costumes and stocking up on candy in time for next week’s spooky celebrations. But we’ve still got a good selection of shows and events that should get you away from that orange glitter and glue that are covering your house.

Friday, October 22 – Rock4Research at Vinyl

Modern Skirts and Tealights play this great benefit for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Saturday, October 23 – Fringe at Redeemer

The smart folks at Fringe mix classical chamber music, atmospheric electronica, indie films, an art gallery and more for a night of culture that is far from stuffy and welcome’s all into its fold.

Saturday, October 23 – Guided By Voices at The Buckhead Theatre

We hope you’ve got  your tickets for the indie rock reunion of the month (at the very least), because the Guided By Voices show in SOLD OUT!

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Saturday, October 23 – A Fight to the Death with Jim White at The EARL

Local gypsy/world music rockers A Fight to the Death will be sweeping you away to new lands with Jim White on Saturday night.

Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 – Taste of Atlanta at Tech Square

We know many a foodie who is currently counting the minutes and saving up his calories up for the ultimate food of the year in one of the best – dare we say it – food cities in the country. Two days of delightful tastes and culinary amazement start this Saturday. And don’t forget to check out all the extra-special one-off events they’ve added this year for Inside the Food Studio, where you will learn the secrets behind Highland Bakery’s desserts, Holeman & Finch’s late-night burger and more!

On sales:

Corey Smith at The Tabernacle, November 26 – on sale Friday, October 22 at 10 a.m.

Hayes Carll at Five Spot, December 3 – on sale, Friday, October 22 at 10 a.m.

North Mississippi Allstars at Variety Playhouse, December 29 – on sale Friday, October 22 at 10 a.m.

- If you haven’t heard by now, Atlanta might just have a new hometown hero. Rapper/jail bird T.I. helped talk a man off the ledge of a building in Midtown yesterday afternoon. Atlanta Magazine’s ATL Intel blog has more on the story, with reactions from T.I. and the Atlanta Police Department.

- Al Pacino is continuing his foray into playing odd real-life characters with a film about scary-but-legendary producer Phil Spector. The New York Times has the story.

- Drowned In Sound is reporting that a collaboration between techno Brit Squarepusher and Andre 3000 is inching closer to reality. We’re expecting it to sound mad and brilliant.

- NPR recorded Deerhunter’s recent performance at Washington, D.C.’s 9.30 Club, and it’s up for you to listen to HERE.

Finally, we can all step outside and breathe in the glorious cool air. Fall is officially here! And to celebrate the lovely new temperatures, there is a couple of great outdoors events for you this weekend, and well as some great rock shows, brilliant comedy and of course some great on-sales.

Thursday, October 7 – David Sedaris at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

If dry wit and awkward tales of growing up are your thing, then you’ll be wanting to check out David Sedaris, whose books you already probably have.

Friday, October 8 – Menomena and Suckers at Variety Playhouse

We all like a good rock ‘n’ roll show, and Friday’s gig at Variety Playhouse should deliver in spades.

Saturday, October 9 – Rugby For Heroes at Atlanta Silverbacks Stadium

Watching one of the toughest sports out there in honor of great charities – the Wounded Warrior Project and Paws4Pets – is just a great deal for everyone.

Saturday, October 9 – Drive-By Truckers at Buckhead Theatre

The Georgia boys – and girl – come back to their homestate for a rollicking show at Buckhead Theatre.

Saturday, October 9 – Joel McHale at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Snarky, witty and just plain hilarious, we love to hear Joel McHale’s take on all that surrounds us, and we’re sure he’ll have plenty to say Saturday night.

Sunday, October 10 – Drive Invasion at Starlight Six Drive-In Theatre

We’re so very glad that the legendary Drive Invasion decided to move from the blazing-hot border of August and September to the cooler climes of mid-October. Check out the styling hotrods, greasy fair food, growling rock ‘n’ roll and classic movies on Sunday.

On sales:

Sister Hazel at Center Stage, December 11 – on sale Friday, October 8 at noon

Toots & The Maytals at The Loft, November 16 – on sale Friday, October 8 at noon

The 12 Days of Christmas: Amy Grant & Vince Gill at The Fox Theatre, December 20 – on sale Friday, October 8 at 10 a.m.

Drumline Live! at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, January 12 – on sale Friday, October 8 at 10 a.m.

Bassnectar at The Tabernacle, December 31 – on sale Friday, October 8 at 10 a.m.

- We’re stoked to finally see the first trailer for 40 Nights of Rock & Roll, a film that director Scott Sloan and writer (ex-Paste editor) Steve LaBate started work on back in April. Check it out over on Paste.

- Fall beer season is kicking off, and the first beer festival of the season is HOToberFest, this Saturday at the lovely Glenwood Park. There’s a great free-for-all part of the park, with some great live music and beer for you to buy, and of course the ticket-required beer tasting areas (including VIP area) with over 130 incredible beers for you to taste. Don’t forget to buy your tickets now!

- Celebrating the wonderful Robert Moog (American music pioneer, inventor of the Moog synthesizer), the annual MoogFest is taking place again in Asheville, N.C., October 29-31. There will be a ton of incredible artists – from DEVO to MGMT, Big Boi to Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation to Cee Lo Green – as well as some fascinating panels and demonstrations – like theremin performances, a panel on The Power of Modular Synthesis and a panel on The Birth of the Minimoog. It’s sure to be a mind-blowing weekend.

- For a second year, Mashable is teaming up with blog aggregator Regator to create Mashlanta 2.0, a party of mammoth proportions. It’s full open bar, with a killer DJ (Joseph Fuller of Nonsense at Noni’s) and the best social media, tech, press, bloggers networking opportunity you can find in these parts. You’ll want to get your tickets now because this gig is on Thursday and there’s not many spaces left.

- Want to meet one of the coolest producers in the world? Here’s your chance: Steve Lillywhite – Grammy award-winning producer to the likes of Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones, Crowded House, Matchbox Twenty and many more – will be speaking at NARIP‘s September 22 program. It’s free to members ($15 to non members) and members will also get the chance to have their track listened to by Lillywhite himself and get feedback.

- Smith’s Olde Bar has a killer competition on this month. Just post pictures of yourself at Smith’s on the bar’s Facebook page throughout September, and you could win an all access pass (+1) to any show in October, free admission (+1) to any five shows or free admission (+1) to one show of your choice.

- Vince Vaughn and Kevin James will be rolling into town with a host of other comedians on their Comedy Roadshow on November 11 at the Cobb Energy Centre. Tickets went on sale this morning.

- The Atlanta Arts Festival takes place at Piedmont Park this weekend. Along with the usual awesome artist market, there will also be demos and classes, theater performances (including work from the Alliance Theater), musical performances (with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and more) and loads more.

Atlanta’s “Midtown Mile” is really coming into its own. Chic stores, fab restaurants, people actually walking everywhere – just like a real city! And to celebrate just how far Peachtree Street and its offshoots have come in the past few years, Midtown Atlanta is throwing the first annual free Midtown Festival of the Arts this September 25 and 26. Not only does it look like a pretty great selection of artists, food vendors and restaurants are going to be coming along, but the festival will also be shutting down Peachtree Street from 5th to 10th Street to make it a for-real pedestrian event.

Joining the 100 booths for artists, performing and literary arts, a kids zone, street performers and film showings will be a one-mile race (the aforementioned Midtown Mile) from Colony Square to the Fox Theatre and lots of lovely street food vendors from the likes of YEAH Burger, JCT Kitchen, Yumbii Truck, King of Pops and Westside Creamery. Yum. Oh and a beer garden. Of course.

And for those really love their food (like us) you can go the extra Midtown Mile (see what we did there?) and get tickets for the incredible Plates on Peachtree Tasting Area, which will feature fabulous dishes and drinks from Park 75, Bacchanalia, Shaun’s, Tap, Bakeshop, Top Flr and more. We’re drooling already. Tickets go on sale August 30.

We’re all looking forward to a weekend inside, with cool drinks and the AC turned up way, way high. So for this week’s Weekend Picks, we’re staying away from the outdoor events and have even included a movie at The Fox, because when it gets this hot, sometimes you just want to sit in a dark room and laugh for a couple of hours. We’ve also started including events that are  going on sale this weekend too, not least because it reminds us that fall is just a month and a bit away. Enjoy!

Thursday, July 29 – Young Orchids at The EARL

Atlanta’s Young Orchids have really been packing clubs across the city lately. They have a great infectious ’60s-throwback garage rock sound that we just adore, and they look damn sharp too.

Friday, July 30 – Caddyshack at The Fabulous Fox Theatre

Remember when Chevy Chase was funny? OK, we take that back, since the obvious answer is “On last week’s ‘Community.’” Boy, we love that show. Alright then, remember when he was a dashing, charming young man? Either way, you’re going to want to recall those times at the screening of Best Golf Movie Ever Caddyshack at The Fox on Friday. There’s even an optional wine tasting ticket, for those who like their comedy with a bit of tipple.

Friday, July 30 – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti at The EARL

Pitchfork fave Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti will be making the hipsters swoon at The EARL on Friday with slightly-mad lo-fi sounds and the like.

Saturday, July 31 – Deer Tick and Dead Confederate at The Buckhead Theatre

Rockers will get their first chance to catch a proper show at the newly refurbished Buckhead Theatre with a brilliant double headliner from alt-country Deer Tick and local psychedelic-grunge Dead Confederate, with Athens’ up-and-comers Futurebirds supporting.

Sunday, August 1 – Crowded House at The Tabernacle

This week we’ve rediscovered our love for Crowded House, and are really appreciating the love for Neil Finn’s incredible songwriting that’s been popping up everywhere when we mention this gig.

Big On Sales:

Widespread Panic at Center Stage on September 23 – on sale Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m.

VIP Tickets:

Regular Tickets:

The Drums and Surfer Blood at The Loft, September 15 – on sale Friday, July 30 at noon

Jimmy Eat World at Center Stage, September 21 – on sale Friday, July 30 at noon

So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, September 27 – on sale Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Symphony Hall Atlanta, December 19 – on sale Friday, July30 at 10 a.m.

- Deerhunter is gearing up to release their new album Halcyon Digest in September, and they’re already throwing some treats out to their fans. For the street-teamers who printed out the flyers and posted them everywhere, Pitchfork reports that Deerhunter has bestowed the tracklisting, cover art, and now a free download. Visit the album website for more details.

- In other Deerhunter news, Ohmpark is reporting that there is a concert documentary in the works, directed by filmmaker John Albrecht. Check out the trailer below.

deerhunter live – film trailer from John Albrecht on Vimeo.

- In honor of all music geeks, Spinner has a great top-20 list of the greatest movie music geeks.

- Bloc Party’s Kele is looking quite the (very emotional) fittie in his new video for the amazing “Everything You Wanted,” from his solo record The Boxer. It’s like out generation’s “Nothing Compares To You,” with the teary Sinead O’Connor. Check it out on Stereogum.

- We are really starting to wish we were at ComicCon. They just premiered the new trailer for Tron: Legacy, which may or may not look just a wee bit confusing. For folks not massively familiar with the movie, like me, go over to Gawker to check out the trailer and see the break down. The only thing missing from the trailer: the Daft Punk soundtrack. Didn’t sound like any of the robotic duo’s recognizable tunes were there.