3/2 Peach Buzz: Ready to make a ‘Joyful Noise?'

As we've been reporting, Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton are in town shooting a movie called "Joyful Noise." Now the production folks are offering free admission to a huge gospel choir scene. Participants need to arrive at the Atlanta Civic Center at 7 a.m. Monday and be prepared to hang around for six to eight hours. (Hey, that's show biz). In addition to witnessing movie magic, folks who show up to fill out the background of this scene are eligible for door prizes, cast autographs, T-shirts and assorted giveaways. They'll also provide refreshments, and Extras Casting Atlanta will be on hand scouting for extras for this and other movies. If you want in, let them know you're coming by e-mailing joyfulaudience@gmail.com

Upcoming author appearance

"I avoid media types," author Randy Wayne White's protagonist, Doc Ford, says in White's latest novel, "Night Vision." Luckily for us, White doesn't feel the same way, and we got a moment on the phone with him the other day. He will be at Eagle Eye Books this month to sign the fast-moving thriller that takes place in a seedy Florida trailer park where illegal immigrant workers live in fear of the sadistic steroid junky who runs the place. At the center of the novel is Tula, a 13-year-old with seemingly mystical powers. White said he drew inspiration for the book from his time in Central America, and from his observation that there is a capsule of time when girls on the precipice of their teen years seem to possess all the wisdom in the world. ("It's afterward that most women go a little nuts," Doc's friend Tomlinson says in the book.) A former fishing guide, White's life somewhat mirrors that of main character, who lives on the water, surrounded by the mysteries of wild Florida. He enjoys meeting folks while on book tour, although he's always happy to get back to his disciplined schedule of working and working out. "I try to write seven days a week, " said White, who sets up shop in various locales to pen his novels. "The two things I can't tolerate are leaf blowers -- the things should be outlawed -- and loud drunks!" If you'd like to meet him White will be at Eagle Eye, 2076 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 11. (Information: eagleeyebooks.com). The event is free. Come relatively sober and leave those leaf blowers at home, please.