Weekly Feature : crafts

Izo the Snowman: East Point’s Coolest Tourist

Alyson Kate — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:26:00 GMT

‘Tis the season for food, fun and ... snow? Though Atlanta has seen its fair share of weather anomalies, the snowmen tend to stay on Snow Mountain. Well, not this year! This holiday season, follow Izo the Snowman - a jolly fellow from up North - as he searches for warm weather and hearts. This Friday, chill with him and your new neighbors as East Point celebrates the holidays!

East Point Celebrates the Holidays with Izo the Snowman
Friday, Dec. 2
5:30-7:30 p.m.
East Point City Hall
2777 East Point Street East Point, GA 30344

Just a few minutes south of Atlanta, Downtown East Point is filled with new neighbors! This small community offers Southern hospitality and hometown holiday traditions in the glow of Atlanta’s skyline. This Friday, join Izo and enjoy the annual tree lighting, a visit with Santa, hot beverages and candy canes, arts and crafts and holiday music. Plus, be sure to pose for pictures and upload them to Izo’s Facebook photo album.

Amp Up Summer with the 34th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival

Alyson Kate — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Trumpeted as the grand finale of May's 31 days of jazz, the 2011 Atlanta Jazz Festival amps up your Memorial Day weekend with cool sounds and hot talent. From jazz and blues to Rock 'n Roll and soul, you'll sing along to long-loved tunes and dance to new favorites all day long!

34^th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival
May 28-30
Piedmont Park
Free Admission

This weekend, head to Piedmont Park for the 34^th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. Enjoy three days of free concerts, as well tons of food, crafts and souvenir vendors - plus an extra 35 acres of lush lawns to lounge in! Up next, a spotlight on my can't-miss sets:

Audrey Shakir
The sultry strains from this bonafide jazz singer dig down deep, pulling the audience on an unforgettable emotional roller coaster ride. Audrey Shakir's diverse interpretations and influences produce bouncy tunes and breath-taking ballads, guaranteed to give voice to those feelings that are sometimes just too tough to express.

Warren Wolf Quintet
Ease into the evening with the visceral vibrations and smooth grooves of Warren Wolf. His unique blend of drums, piano and vibraphone produces a sound so invigorating that you simply can't sit still.

Regina Carter
Highlighting her velvety violin melodies, Regina Carter's innovative fusion of creative contemporary instrumentation and ancient African folk tunes formed an unprecedented melody. Mixing music from Africa, India and Puerto Rico, Carter plays in global harmony, a truly "haunting and beautiful" sound.

Rialto Jazz for Kids All-Star Jazz Band
This grooving group of middle school students is a truly talented bunch. Led by the preeminent Rialto Center professor, Dr. Gordon Vernick, these kids help bridge the gap between generation and genre, performing a swinging, soulful set sure to leave your toes tapping.

Rua 6
This intriguing mix of Latin and Brazilian tribal tunes infused with buttery baritone vocals and bright instrumentation create an explosive, energetic sound guaranteed to heat up the night.

Things to keep in mind: although Atlanta is one very pet-friendly city, they won't be allowed onto the festival grounds. Still want your cultured critter to hear some of the nation's top talent? The no-leash-required Piedmont Dog Park will be open all weekend, with additional swim sessions and a renovated 3-acre run. Small tents and gas grills are welcomed, just be sure to double-check the FAQs beforehand.

75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival - an Eco-Chic Celebration

Alyson Kate — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:00:00 GMT

This weekend, Atlanta celebrates 75 years of blossoming trees, tasty cuisines and whimsical creations. Join your neighbors and friends for an unforgettable three days at the 75^th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival! A delightful blend of tradition and innovation, the festival winds throughout the park's lush lawns and casually elegant trees. While showcasing the finest local artisans, food vendors and performers, this year's events also include a few intriguing additions.

75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April 15-17, all day
Piedmont Park
Free Admission

In addition to the many vendors scattered throughout the park, a number of local restaurants are extending the celebration to your tabletop. On Saturday and Sunday, you can purchase tickets for the "Friends of Dogwood Pavilion". This gourmet event features bites from more than 30 of your favorite eateries, as well as four wine and beer providers.

Upon entering the festival, you'll step directly into the Artists' Market - just the place to find that uniquely you piece! Here, Piedmont Park blossoms with dogwoods, creativity and passion as thousands of visitors explore works by top glassblowing, metal- and leather-working artisans, as well as painters, photographers, sculptors and more.

Returning for the 75^th anniversary, the Dogwood Festival also offers three cutting-edge villages: the Kids Village, International Village and the Eco-Village. Perfect for the young (and young at heart), the Kids Village offers hands-on activities and challenges to spark creative minds, while live performances set a groovy backbeat. Enjoy mobile art and global culture exchanges in the International Village. The Eco-Village offers a Discovery Center, focusing on sustainable practice education, while LED lights and bio-diesel powers the entire festival!

Open from morning to night, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a great place to catch a little Spring fever. Since it's easily accessible from MARTA, there's just no excuse to miss this weekend of sunshine, sustainability and creativity!

Midtown Festival of the Arts - Atlanta’s Biggest Block Party

Alyson Kate — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:11:00 GMT

While Atlanta is known for it’s stunning festivals and many talented locals, the First Annual Midtown Festival of the Arts (MFotA) promises to be a traffic-stopper. Nothing defines Midtown quite like Peachtree Street, which makes it the perfect locale for an arts fest. This weekend MFotA is shutting down a section of Peachtree, creating the city’s biggest block party ever! See below for Insider Info on all the must-do activities:

Midtown Festival of the Arts
Sept. 25 and 26
On the Midtown Mile
(aka Peachtree Street, between 5^th and 10^th)
For easy access, ride MARTA to the Midtown station

Determined to celebrate the arts and culture of Atlanta, MFotA is jammed packed with local artists, talents, tastes and so much more!

At 10^th Street, enjoy:
Movie Night on Peachtree! Here, a massive movie screen offers viewings of an Atlanta classic, Driving Miss Daisy. Showing begins at dusk on Saturday evening, in front of the Margaret Mitchell House.

Directly across from the Midtown MARTA station, you’ll find:
The Kid’s Zone. As the hands-on epicenter of the festival, kids can create and explore their imaginations. Found on the grounds of the Margaret Mitchell House, tents featuring FREE crafts, music, games and activities offer wee ones a place to play. Be on the lookout for fun things from Center of Puppetry Arts, The Wren’s Nest and more!

On 8^th Street, work up an appetite for:
the Culinary Stage and Plates on Peachtree. Onstage you’ll find live demos and tastings from your favorite, most creative local chefs. Actually, why not make it a lunch date and grab tickets for Plates on Peachtree? For one (very cheap) price, you can enjoy restaurant-sized portions from chefs you love and would love to try. All tickets include a complimentary drink, and children 10 and under eat FREE with paying adults.

On 7^th Street, unwind at:
the Beer Garden and Acoustic Café. Offering a taste of Georgia’s best brews, the Beer Garden has partnered is Athens-based Terrapin Brewery. Grab a frosty glass and relax for the live performances at the Acoustic Café. Enjoy genre-spanning sets of Rock and Roll, Americana, modern retrobilly and vocal stylings.

Down on 6^th Street, enjoy the pièce de résistance:
the MFotA Main Stage. Featuring live performances including bands and songwriters, not to mention the dancing crowds. Personally, I’ve punched my dance card for Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. This riveting montage of jazz chords and vocals with Rock and Roll stylings is a can’t-miss show which takes its cues from Ray Charles, Little Richard, Etta James and, of course, a little New Orleans soul.

All along the Mile you’ll find:
The Artist Markets. Featuring more 100 local artisans, crafters and creatives, you’re guaranteed to find pieces perfect for quirky gifts, the elusive finishing touch to a room, and even a bit of fun and fancy for your cubicle!

Memorial Day the Atlanta Way

Alyson Kate — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:11:00 GMT

Memorial Day weekend is fast-approaching, bringing Summer on its heels. Looking for a few fun twists for your long weekend? Check out what the city has to offer:

Ded Bob's Shakespeare Comedy Spectacular!
Shakespeare Tavern
Through May 30

The famous, floundering insult comedian returns to the stage! This weekend is your last chance to catch The Ded Bob show, which presents "Shakespeare with all the boring parts removed" for your gasping delight. Ded Bob, a saucy skeleton with a roving eye regales you with spoofs and parodies of Shakespeare's best-known work, as well as his insult/stand-up routine. The Shakespeare Tavern offers food and drinks for anyone interested. Fair warning: Bob is hilarious, so no spitting out that cocktail!

Decatur Arts Festival
Decatur Square
May 29 and 30

This weekend event celebrates arts, culture and creativity with a fun, neighborhood vibe. Enjoy an Artists' Market, filled with fantastic finds including pottery, photography and artisan pieces such as glass- and woodworks. Both days also feature music, dance and literary performances from local talents. Bonus: Take the MARTA Blue Line directly to the festival!

Atlanta Jazz Festival
Piedmont Park
May 29 and 30

The Atlanta Jazz Festival proudly celebrates 33 years of talent and passion in Piedmont Park. Featuring masters of numerous genres - from jazz and blues to striking vocals - these two days showcase the best talents city and nation-wide. In addition to exquisite music, food and merchandise vendors will be on hand for the event. For all you jazz lovers: follow the Twitter feed for up-to-minute details!

Memorial Weekend at Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park - Memorial Lawn
May 29 - 31

Grab your All-Attractions Adventure Pass for an active, fun-filled weekend. This pass gets you unlimited access to every inch of the park, including Sky Hike, Journey to the Center of the Earth 4D Adventure and Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf! Passes are just $27 adults and $21 for ages 3-11, valid all 3 days. Only interested in the Lasershow Spectacular? Enjoy the city's oldest choreographed laser- and pyrotechnics show for free - just pay $10 for parking.