Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Coming to Clairmont Road


A new Hilton Garden Inn hotel is being proposed near the Century Center office complex on Clairmont Road just off Interstate 85 in DeKalb County.  The five-story hotel would be developed by Suwanee-based DayBreak Hospitality LLC, and have 156 rooms plus retail/restaurant space, according to plans recently filed with the City of Chamblee. 

read more

Friday, November 16, 2018

Decatur Tree Lighting Dec 6, New Location on the Plaza

Tree Lighting
Thursday, Dec. 6, 
On the square
 TREE LIGHTING THIS YEAR WILL BE ON THE PLAZA not on roof of The Little Shop of Stories.

Extra Membership Savings at Center for Puppetry Arts

Special Limited-Time Offer!

Join by Nov 25 and SAVE $10 on select Memberships:

Dual Level: $75  $65
Family Level: $110  $100
Puppet Prime Level: $175   $165


Plus, enjoy 2 EXTRA MONTHS of Membership - FREE!

(Your Membership will be valid through Jan 31, 2020)

PROMO CODE: SNOW
Exclusive Member benefits include:
  • Up to 50% discount on Family Series performances
  • Priority seating for Family Series performances
  • FREE admission to Worlds of Puppetry Museum and Special Exhibits
  • FREE admission to film screenings
  • 10% discount on all Museum Store purchases
  • Waived online handling fees
  • Special Members Only activities and previews
  • ...and more! (click for full benefit listing)
Don't wait! This special offer ends at midnight Sunday, Nov 25. 
Use 
 PROMO CODE: SNOW  to become a Member today!

You can also call the Ticket Sales Office at 404.873.3391.

Video Friday - Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Mandarin Oriental Atlanta Will Become The Waldorf Astoria

From http://www.tonetoatl.com/

The Mandarin Oriental Atlanta will be re-flagged as a Waldorf Astoria hotel in December.  The hotel, which opened in 2008 as The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel, became the Mandarin Oriental in 2012.  The 42 story property designed by American architect Robert A. M. Stern is home to 127 hotel rooms as well as 45 private condo units and three private villas.  The change is scheduled to take place December 8.




Photo credit:  The Waldorf Astoria in New York. Photographer: Drew Angerer/Getty Images North America

Video Friday - The Righteous Brothers - You're My Soul and Inspiration

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Video Friday - Robert Mitchum - Thunder Road

On this day Oct. 18. 2018  Sixty years ago The movie THUNDER ROAD played at The Decatur Theatre.

Read more at http://the-decatur-theatre.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-post_6.html

Electronics Recycling Day This Saturday Oct. 20th

From The Decatur Minute:

See full guidelines for recyclable items at decaturga.com/electronicsrecycling.
Public works will recycle just about any electronics equipment you have in your attic, basement, closet or office. See decaturga.com/electronicsrecycling for a list, and for answers to frequently asked questions. Recycle your Styrofoam as well and safely shred and recycle your sensitive documents all in one place. It’s simple and convenient. Just drive through and drop off your recyclables 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Sorry, early drop-offs are not possible.)

Paper shredding
AAA Security Shredding provides secure on-site document shredding, and all shredded documents will be 100 percent recycled. These items cannot be shredded: Cardboard, glass, plastic, magazines, napkins, newspapers, paper cups and plates, plastic or spiralbound notebooks, phonebooks, binders, and trash.
Styrofoam recycling
  • Make sure foam has the “6” symbol on it
  • Rinse and separate food service containers from other foam
  • No straws, lids, tape or stickers
  • No foam peanuts or insulation material

NOTE: Fee required to recycle cathode ray tube equipment (exact change only): Monitors $5; TVs $10
Since we started in 2005, we’ve diverted more than 1,000,000 pounds of electronics from landfills. Contact Sean Woodson, 404-377-5571, or sean.woodson@decaturga.com for more information and last-minute updates, or visit decaturga.com/electronicsrecycling.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

How Hurricane Michael could impact Atlanta Area

Thirteen months since Hurricane Irma whacked Atlanta with high winds and rains, another northbound tempest is threatening to again disrupt life in the Southeast’s landlocked capital city.
But don’t expect Irma, round two.
In light of hurricane-force winds in southern parts of Georgia and the potential for deadly flooding elsewhere, Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency today for 92 counties, although none of them fall within metro Atlanta.

more

Friday, October 5, 2018

Video Friday - Winning - Paul Newman - Opening Sequence - Music To Get You in the Mood for The Madison Ave Soapbox Derby

Now at The Alliance Hip-Hop musical for middle and high school students

The Alliance Theatre is pleased to announce its next production for middle and high school audiences, Paige in Full.  Paige in Full blends poetry, dance, media and music to tell the tale of a multicultural girl’s journey through hip-hop to self-discovery. Since its premiere in May 2010, Paige Hernandez’s “visual mix-tape” has sold out performances throughout the country and garnered praise from critics and audiences alike for its energy, intelligence, and originality.  Examining ideas on how ethnicity and pop-culture shape our identity, Paige In Full tells a personal, yet universal story for youth and adult audiences.

Although Paige in Full has been performed all over the country, the Atlanta version will include the fresh perspectives of middle and high school students who participated in the Alliance Theatre summer drama camps with Paige Hernandez.  Seventh grade student Hannah Hubbert said, “When students come to see this show, they see their friends, they see themselves, they see situations that they have gone through.  Stories like this help to show them that anything is possible.  Students from different lives will see it and will learn that no matter what’s going on in your crazy life, what bad or good things have happened, that they are not alone.”

OUR PERFORMANCES ONLY – OCT 6 & 13, 1:00 & 3:30 P.M.

ATLANTA, October 3, 2018 — Performer and playwright Paige Hernandez brings her highly acclaimed hip-hop show Paige in Full to middle and high school audiences at the Alliance Theatre for four performances only on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. 

Paige in Full blends poetry, dance, media and music to tell the tale of a multicultural girl’s journey through hip-hop to self-discovery. Since its premiere in May 2010, Paige Hernandez’s “visual mix-tape” has sold out performances throughout the country and garnered praise from critics and audiences alike for its energy, intelligence, and originality.  Examining ideas on how ethnicity and pop-culture shape our identity, Paige In Full tells a personal, yet universal story for youth and adult audiences.

Although Paige in Full has been performed all over the country, the Atlanta version will include the fresh perspectives of middle and high school students who participated in the Alliance Theatre summer drama camps with Paige Hernandez.  Seventh grade student Hannah Hubbert said, “When students come to see this show, they see their friends, they see themselves, they see situations that they have gone through.  Stories like this help to show them that anything is possible.  Students from different lives will see it and will learn that no matter what’s going on in your crazy life, what bad or good things have happened, that they are not alone.”
Public performances are Saturday, October 6 and Saturday, October 13, at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. 
Tickets are available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/paigeinfull or by calling 404.733.5000. 
Paige in Full is sponsored by Delta Air Lines, presenting sponsor of Alliance Theatre Family Series, and Home Depot. 


Wednesday, October 3, 2018

The Madison Ave Soapbox Derby is this Saturday Oct. 6

From: http://madisonavesoapboxderby.org/schedule/

2018 Race Day Schedule

RACERS… ARRRRE YOU READY?!
What you need to know…
10:30 Registration OPENS: Teams arrive, sign in, wait for car inspection & park
Enter Madison Ave thru Johnston Place beginning at 10:30. Look for the registration tent. An adult must check in for their child regardless of team grouping. Waivers must be signed before you proceed. DON’T FORGET YOUR HELMETS! NO HELMET, NO RIDE!
-Please note, at this time, we cannot make any changes to the team, team names or drivers. If you have not paid your registration fee you have been withdrawn from the race and we hope you can join us to watch the event.
11:00 Food area is open: Grab a bite to eat and prepare for racing!
Food options will remain open until 5:00 pm.
U Joint & Steinbeck’s tent
Grilled Cheese, Burgers (including Steinbeck’s Tower of Power), Hot Dogs, Pulled Pork,
Wraps, Jettie, Tots, Chips & Fruits
Matador tent
Pork Tacos & Grilled Street Corn
Bake Sale Tent – also selling race t-shirts
Beer Tent powered by Three Taverns
Steel City Pops: Great local popsicles
Face painting and crafts will be available for the kids (cash only).
11:30 am – Flag Presentation and National Anthem
12:00 pm – Judging begins (cars all at the top of the street)
12:45 pm – Race introduction
1:00 pm – Race – ages 6 & under
1:45 pm – Race – ages 7 to 11
2:45 pm – Race – ages 12 to 17
3:45 pm – Race – ages 18 and up
4:30 pm – Race over – Musician Blake Byrant (of Leonard Washington) takes the stage
5:00 pm – Awards Ceremony and Check Presentation
5:30 pm – Blake Bryant back on stage for a second set
6:00 pm – that’s a wrap!
– This is a rough schedule. We cannot predict how the race will flow with over 100 drivers!
Please keep in mind that this is a grassroots event and we will do the best we can to stay on schedule.

Fun, fun, fun… The vision of this event is picnic/parade style where families, friends and neighbors will be walking to the event with their chairs & blankets while snacking with their families and watching the Derby. For those of you who live on Madison Ave we hope you invite your friends, set up a tailgate style picnic and enjoy the day! All others are welcome to set up their picnic goods on the sidewalks up & down the street.
We will have a “donation station” with baked goods for (cash or check) donation, t-shirts and hats for sale ($20 for Youth & Adult). We encourage you to spread the word to bring cash & checks ONLY.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Decatur Holiday Ornament Unveiling Party on Thursday Sept. 27

Join the Decatur Tourism Bureau and the Decatur Arts Alliance for the 2018 Decatur Holiday Ornament Unveiling Party on Thursday, September 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Wild Oats & Billy Goats, 112. E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Come see the ornaments, meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments and music. Then drop by any of Decatur’s great restaurants and pubs for dinner.
The 2018 ornament will be available for purchase at Wild Oats and Billy Goats that night. They will be available in other Decatur shops including Little Shop of Stories, Trinity Mercantile, Found Co., and HomeGrown, etc. soon.
The ornaments are $18 each and you can save $5 if you join or renew your Decatur Arts Alliance membership. All proceeds go toward the creation of the 2019 ornament.

The Wear Ponce Music Stroll Oct. 6. FREE

New! West Ponce Music Stroll Oct. 6

Take a stroll, feed your soul with music.

On Oct. 6 West Ponce businesses will open their patios and parking lots, transforming them into stages for a day full of free, live music. Eight venues, eight bands, eight different times. It all starts at Dancing Goats (419 W. Ponce) at noon and ends at the Marlay House (426 W. Ponce) at 8 pm.
PERFORMERS AND VENUES
Noon  |  Dancing Goats / Sprint  |  419/431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
DAVE FRACKENPOHL TRIO

1 pm  |  Pastries-A-Go-Go  |  235 Ponce de Leon Place
SUSAN NEASE (hammer dulcimer)

2 pm  |  Mellow Mushroom / Decatur CD  |  340/356 West Ponce de Leon Ave.
STOPLIGHT ROSES

3 pm  |  Chai Pani  |  406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
BIRD CITY REVOLUTIONARIES

4 pm  |  Big Tex Cantina  |  308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
PERFORMER TBA

5 pm  |  Café Lily  |  308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
THREE-WAY MIRROR

6 pm  |  Farm Burger  |  410 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
FLORAL PRINT

7 pm  |  Marlay House  |  426 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
JASON WALLER 
PLUS pop up performances at
The Pinewood 
 | 254 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Highland Bakery 
 |  319 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
The Marlay House  |  426 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
See you there! #gowestponce #westponcemusicstroll



Sunday, September 16, 2018

The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade Satuday Sept. 22 2018

From: https://www.facebook.com/events/678219242558645/



Everyone is always invited to make a lantern and walk in the Parade! The lantern parade is a creative collaboration based in community participation. Be the parade! Together, we create a two-mile river of light that can probably be seen from space! It is a wondrous night on the Atlanta BeltLine.

Parade line-up begins at 7pm at Irwin Ave. at the Eastside Trail. We step-off at 8pm and walk for two miles to our after-party at Park Tavern! At the start, expect some stop and go, as we pause the flow to let the bands and Krewe puppets have space. Take a look at the route map: https://tinyurl.com/y765htte 

You do need a lantern to walk in the parade! You don't need a lantern to watch the parade, but our sidelines are gorgeous these days! If you have never been before, you should know that Atlanta has some serious creative game! Invent your own masterpiece lantern or take a workshop hosted by Chantelle Rytter + Krewe. The workshop schedule and registration are at https://www.chantellerytter.com/atlanta-beltline-lantern-parade.

We started the lantern parade in 2010 with 400 of our besties. Last year we had 60,000 of our besties! So, please mind these rules and your parade marshals to best enjoy your parade night, and to help the bands and the Krewe giant lantern puppets navigate the flow. 

Photo from The Decatur Lantern Parade


Lantern Parade Rules
1. You need a lantern to walk in the parade.
2. No passing. 
3. No stopping. If you need to stop, please step off to the side.
4. Please do not walk against the flow of the parade.
5. Yield generous space to bands and large lanterns. Mind the Marshals.
6. Leave your pets at home.
7. Please walk your bike.
8. No flying lanterns.
9. Take your trash with you.
10. Have a blast!

FAQ’s are answered at art.beltline.org/lantern-parade/#faqs

#beltlinelanternparade






Special Video Sunday - The Bee Gees - More Than A Woman

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Georgia State Fair Sept 28 - Oct 7 2018 - Atlanta Motor Speedway
























The Georgia State Fair offers FUN for all, from breath taking rides, mouth watering foods, attractions and plenty of entertainment. The is always something happening at the Georgia State Fair!

From: https://www.facebook.com/pg/GeorgiaStateFair/about/?ref=page_internal

Friday, September 7, 2018

Video Friday - Smokey and the Bandit



 East Bound and Down - Jerry Reed
 Burt Reynolds is The Bandit: For the good old American life: For the money, for the glory, and for the fun... mostly for the money.

Friday, August 31, 2018

The AJC Decatur Book Festival 8-31 thru Sept 2

The AJC Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent book festival in the country and one of the five largest overall. Since its launch, more than 1,000 world-class authors and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers have crowded the historic downtown Decatur square to enjoy book signings, author readings, panel discussions, an interactive children's area, live music, parades, cooking demonstrations, poetry slams, writing workshops, and more.

Video Friday - Otis Redding - LOVE MAN


Thursday, August 23, 2018

Sunset Sessions at Piedmont Park Is In Full Swing Every Sunday = Free Live Music

Sunset Sessions Is In Full Swing Every Sunday = Free Live Music

 http://www.parktavern.com/sunsetsessions
Sunset Sessions is back! Powered by Mountain Dew - a weekly, alternative music series in Piedmont Park. First launched in 2015, ALT 105.7, herMustache, and Park Tavern have been bringing Atlantans and visitors alike an incredible lineup of live music from some of today’s most buzz-worthy artists. Sunset Sessions is held every Sunday from April through September under Park Tavern’s spacious, air-conditioned Garden Tent. Rain or shine you will stay dry and enjoy the music.
Located conveniently off of the Atlanta BeltLine, concertgoers can enjoy giveaways throughout the series and, the opportunity to mingle with on-air personalities from ALT 105.7 in Atlanta. Plus, fans can try specialty seasonal cocktails, house-brews, 1/2 off sushi from 9 p.m. to midnight, and much more. The free concert series will run through Sunday, September 30, 2018; every show is from 7 to 11 p.m. and guests must be 21+ older to attend.


Friday, August 10, 2018

Reminder: Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival Sat. Aug. 11


Cold Beer, Tasty BBQ, and Great Tunes!

PURCHASE TICKETS

Kids 12 and under are free

2pm – 9pm

The 18th annual Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass festival will be held Saturday, August 11th, 2018 from 2pm – 9pm. Once again we will bring the sights, sounds, and smells of classic southern BBQ from metro Atlanta staples along with 7+ hours of original live blues and bluegrass music from aspiring and accomplished local/regional/and national acts to Decatur, Georgia in the heart of Oakhurst. This is a family friendly event that is fun for all ages

Location:

630 East Lake Drive & Harmony Park is adjacent to the intersection of East Lake Drive and Oakview Road, in beautiful downtown Oakhurst.

 http://www.decaturbbqfestival.com/

This Video Friday Inspired By Heineken TV Commercial


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Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Special events at The Center For Puppetry Arts...For August

http://www.puppet.org/buy-tickets/2018-19/discovery-days-discover-africa/

Join us as we celebrate puppetry traditions in other cultures through intimate, interactive programs.
- From Story to Stage: a storytelling-with-puppets performance
- Puppet Creation Station: inspired by our popular Create-A-Puppet Workshops™
- Discover Puppetry Cart: a mobile Museum experience
Workshops, performances,
tons of special events...it's August.

For more info  http://www.puppet.org/