Here is more info on The Beach Party and Saturday's Art-B-Que for this weekend.
By April Hunt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/19/08
On Sunday, you can rest.
But if you're in central DeKalb County on Friday or Saturday, be ready to party.
Decatur is hauling in 60 tons of sand to its town square Friday night for the annual Decatur Beach Party. Sleep in Saturday morning, then head over to Avondale Estates in the afternoon, where more than 50 artists and musicians are holding an "Art-B-Que" picnic to highlight the city's emerging hipster scene.
"We're just right down the road from each other, so everyone can hit both," said Bart Webb, a sculptor who had hoped simply to party with a handful of fellow artists and ended up organizing the Avondale event, a fund-raiser for Jewish Family and Career Services.
A recent informal census by Avondale's Downtown Development Authority revealed that the city of about 2,800 people has 97 artists ranging from painters, sculptors and musicians to writers. Webb's Franklin Street studio alone is in a building that features four other artists, two galleries, a recording and video studio and band rehearsal space.
"It's astonishing the art that has popped up here," said development authority member Allan Kirwan. "It's important, because artists bring something unique to your town."
The barbecue will feature original artwork in a street festival. Ten percent of the day's sales and the $5 cover for bands performing after 8 p.m. will be donated to the Jewish Family and Career Services senior artist program. The rest of the program is free.
The beach party, which shuts down Ponce de Leon Avenue to set up a boardwalk and concert stage across the sandy expanse, serves as a fund-raiser for the Decatur Business Association.
Tickets for those over age 12 are $5 in advance and $10 on the day of the event, and help cover the business association's other events throughout the year, said Decatur spokeswoman Linda Harris.
"It's always a big hit with everyone," Harris said. "You have to see it to believe it."
After the party ends at midnight, residents are allowed to truck away the sand to their own homes. City crews take any leftover sand to city parks Monday morning, when the Decatur square turns back into a retail hub.
IF YOU GO:
Decatur Beach Party, 5 p.m.-midnight on the square Friday. $5 in advance, $10 day of event for adults; children under 12 free (limit two per paying adult). For more information, visit www.decaturga.com.
Art-B-Que free art show and street festival begins at 2846 Franklin St., Avondale Estates, at 2 p.m. Saturday. Evening concerts begin at 8 p.m., $5. For more information, visit http://bartwebbstudios.com.
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