VENUE UPDATES: House of Blues To Return To Atlanta … And Much More!

House of Blues is returning to Atlanta after a brief run in the abandoned Baptist Tabernacle church during the 1996 Olympics. Its new location will be the current site of EarthLink Live (formerly Center Stage), and will open later this year or early 2003, said owner Tom Cook, who is also part of a group of investors bring the live music club back to Atlanta, reports WXIA-TV.

The club will feature a 5,000-square-foot, 150-seat restaurant and a 10,000-square-foot, 300-seat VIP area called the Foundation Room, for private receptions and dinners.

"We'll be sitting right on the corner of the entrance to the new 17th Street bridge, and I see us as a gateway to the new Atlantic Station project," Cook said, which will be connected to Midtown via the new bridge, currently under construction.

Cook said HOB's new business model is to expand into more markets quickly by partnering with local investors. This would be HOB's 10th music club.

Apollo Theater's $1 Billion Expansion Plans

The Apollo Theater in Harlem is set for a $1 billion dollar expansion over the next few years. The current 1,600-seat venue will soon become two venues totaling about 4,300 seats. The new $300 million Apollo Performing Arts Complex (APAC) will take about five years to construct. The complex will include the now vacant Victoria Theater about 100 feet east on 125th street. The four small storefronts in between the Apollo and the Victoria will be purchased.

In addition to the two theaters, there are plans for a boutique hotel, a restaurant, a jazz museum, a retail store and live broadcast studios.

Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and Bad Company's Paul Rodgers Rock Trump Marina

Nashville — An incredible co-bill was witnessed Saturday, April 20 by those in attendance at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City, NJ for the teaming of America's Rock Patriot Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad with the UK's predominate frontman Bad Company's Paul Rodgers. These two great frontmen teamed up for a show that will not soon be forgotten by those present. Mark Farner is currently touring to support his authorized biography From Grand Funk To Grace as well as his new single Red White and Blue. For more information on Mark Farner's current projects please visit: www.markfarner.com

Carolina Amphitheater Looks For New Management

Carolina Amphitheater in Marion, NC, is looking for a new manager, following the April 22 firing of manager Denny Cerilli, who pleaded guilty last June to charges that in 1995 and 1996 he and his partners bilked at least 75 elderly people out of more than $4 million, according to federal court documents, reports the Sun News.

Amphitheater owner Ralph Jones is expected to announce a new management company for the 27,000-capacity venue shortly.

Cerilli, who testified for the prosecution against his former business partners in a federal criminal trial in Pittsburgh, is waiting for sentencing for his part in the scheme, which made him $696,000, according to Securities and Exchange Commission records.