Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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You may remember in 2019 that an aspiring actress wanted to catch the attention of movie mogul Tyler Perry to get a leading role.Raquel Palmer paid for a billboard towering over an Atlanta highway to get the attention of Perry. Well, mission accomplished: Palmer has been cast as the lead in Perry’s upcoming series for BET+.Actress Who Rented Atlanta Billboard Lands Lead Role In Tyler Perry Series
Perry spend more than $2,000 on the attention-grabbing gimmick on the billboard, which read: “Attention Mr. Perry, Racquel Bailey is your next leading lady.”The stunt almost backfired on Palmer as Perry took to social media to scold the young actress.“Auhhh…. soooooo…… here’s the deal,” he wrote on Instagram. “This is not the way to get my attention if you’re looking for a role in one of my shows. Please DON’T DO THIS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!! This is the third time that someone has done this. PLEASE STOP! To audition is FREE!! I’m sure you can use that money for a better purpose.”
But the move ultimately proved successful, Palmer landed a role on BET’s Sistas shortly after the billboard was removed.
Perry told TMZ that she will star alongside actress and former model Eva Marcille in All the Queens Men which will stream on BET+.
The series is about the tales of a woman who runs an exotic male strip club.
“I play Blue, who is her head of security,” Palmer told TMZ. I pick up any loose ends, I’m extremely loyal to Madam and anything that she needs to be done.”
Palmer has appeared in several productions during her short time as an actress. Her roles include:
- All the Queen’s Men (2021)
- Sistas (2020-2021)
- The Night Of (2021)
- FBI (2020)
Want to be like Palmer? Perry is hiring regularly for key roles in his movies and shows.
Are you interested in becoming an actor in Atlanta? You’re in the right place!With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls
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There were many highlights of the show, including when Jay Z and West rapped alongside each other on their new song for the DONDA album.Thousands Attend Kanye West DONDA Listening Party At Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The stadium was packed like the first event too, only this time free walk-up COVID vaccinations were given at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.Major artists also flew in for the party, including Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Kid Cudi and many more. One of the more surreal moments of the listening party was when West floated above the crowd (See Video).The livestream on Apple Music featured several artists that appear on the album. Artists like Steve Lacy and Fivio Foreign made an appearance early in the evening.
Kanye West Launches countdown livestream for DONDA Listening Party In Atlanta
View this post on InstagramWest has been living in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the days following the initial event, bringing in musicians and studio heads to perfect the album.
Inside Kanye West’s DONDA Listening Party In Atlanta
The Kanye West DONDA album release party is slated for Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 9 pm EST. Thousands are expected to attend the event.
View this post on InstagramThe event promises to be a blockbuster affair. So far all we’ve seen are snippets of the greatest that the album entails.
Here’s a brief video of West working on the album at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLnVhQKRXKw
Kanye West Second DONDA Listening Party: How To Get Tickets
West hasn’t said much publicly about the album, but he did speak on how he views the new music in light of what’s going on today. “This is not album of the year, this is album of the life,” he reportedly said.
The album features a who’s who of rap’s great artists today, including Jay Z, 2Chainz, Ty Dolla $ign and more.
How To Get Tickets To Kanye West DONDA Listening Party In Atlanta
Tickets for Kanye West Presents The Donda Album Release go on sale to the general public Monday, August 2, 2021 at at 10 am EDT.
If you’re interested in attending, here are the tickets, here’s how to get them.
West has made up his mind that 2021 will be about his music. While he was running for president in 2020, he said that he got clarity on some issues that were deeply affecting him and America.
“God just gave me the clarity and said it’s time,” he told Forbes. “You know I was out there, ended up in the hospital, people were calling me crazy. I’m not crazy. Between all of the influences and the positions that we can be put in as musicians—you go on tour, you put out all these albums, and you look up and you don’t have any money in your account. It can drive you crazy, through all of that I was looking crazy because it wasn’t the time. Now it’s time. And we’re not going crazy, we’re going Yeezy, it’s a whole ‘notha level now. N-O-T-H-A.”
West chose Mercedes-Benz Stadium to debut his new album because he likes how his music sounds in stadiums. If you’ve never been to MercBenz, here are some things to know.
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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BK Lobster, the seafood restaurant that made its name in New York City, is expanding in metro Atlanta.
BK Lobster is a Brooklyn-based seafood franchise that opened its first metro Atlanta location on July 11, 2021, in Forest Park next to the King of Diamonds nightclub.
BK Lobster Looking For Franchisees In Atlanta
The person responsible for the restaurant’s opening is BK Lobster CEO Rodney Bonds, who debuted the eatery two years ago in Brooklyn.
Bonds also has big plans for the eatery to be used as an events space, including weekend brunches and more.
What’s On The Menu At BK Lobster?
The menu at BK Lobster consists primarily of lobster rolls done in different tasty variations. But there’s more: BK Lobster also has other seafood dishes you can try.
Here’s a sampling of some of the dishes you can order on the BK Lobster menu:
- Lobster Roll
- Lobster Mac ‘N Cheese
- Lobster Pasta
- Lobster Salad
- Crab Legs
- Shrimp
- Chicken Wings
- Waffles
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Where Is BK Lobster Located In Atlanta?
BK Lobster is opening or has opened the following metro Atlanta locations:
- BK Lobster Midtown: 855 Peachtree St NE
- BK Lobster Roswell: 880 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell
- BK Lobster downtown Atlanta: 495 Whitehall Street in Castleberry Hill.
The first BK Lobster in the area is the one located at 4730 Frontage Road in Forest Park. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Thoughts
Lobster dishes are some of the most delicious you can enjoy in the Atlanta area. BK Lobster is one of many black-owned restaurants in Atlanta.You can find great places to eat inside and outside of the Perimeter. Are you on the south end of town? Don’t sleep on College Park’s restaurant scene.
If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following. -
Chicken wings are sort of having a moment right now. They have gotten to be in such demand that a chicken wing shortage has caused some restaurants to switch to thighs.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find them. The following National Chicken Wing deals are available at all participating locations. To be sure, all your local restaurant in advance to make sure they’re offering the deal.
Here Are Some Of The Best Deals For National Wing Day
Ready to see who has the best wing deals for National Wing Day?
Buffalo Wild Wings
View this post on InstagramThe chain is offering a buy-one-get-one deal Thursday on boneless wings for dine-in or takeout.
Hooters
View this post on InstagramTo celebrate National Chicken Wing Day, Hooters is giving dine-in guests 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of any 10 wings. Hurry now!
Smokey Bones
View this post on InstagramDid somebody say BOGO wings? At Smokey Bones, you can get eight boneless wings free when you buy four “whole wings.”
ThighStop
View this post on InstagramThighstop, aka Wingstop is offering two free bone-in thighs with any $15 purchase when you order via Thighstop.com or DoorDash.
Wing Zone
View this post on InstagramAt Wing Zone, customers can get 16 Boneless Wings for $10 or 16 Original Wings for $5 more with #promocode 2195.
Wings Over
View this post on InstagramWings Over is offering $5 off on chicken wings on National Wing Day. To take advantage of the discount,, enter promo code WINGDAY21 at checkout online or on the restaurant’s app.
Where Can You Get Chicken Wings Locally Near You?
For some local flavor, you may be wondering where to get some chicken wings near you. Here are the best chicken wing spots in Atlanta.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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Days after treating Atlanta residents to a listening party, Kanye West is still inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium working on his album.
It is unknown if he plans to finish the album in Atlanta, but the release date of DONDA has been announced as August 6.
Kanye West Living Inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
After the listening party, West was seen attending an Atlanta United game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
.@KanyeWest at the Atlanta United game today at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7.24.21) pic.twitter.com/Wso1uURqXF
— Photos Of Kanye West (@PhotosOfKanye) July 24, 2021
West’s new album, DONDA, is named after his late mother. And by choosing Mercedes-Benz Stadium, West is making it very clear that he believes his new songs are what he’s called stadium music.“I wanted my drums to bang harder in stadiums,” he told Concrete Loop. “Bono [of rock group U2] told me that ‘No one from your community has ever figured this out.’ And if you think about it, nobody of the black community can really sell out stadiums, like 30,000 seaters, there’s not one artist you can think of. I can think of four, you know, white artists.”He once said in a November 2007 Rolling Stone interview, “All those people that bootlegged the album, there’s a chance they’ll come to the concert, or play the music for their kids, that these songs will connect in different ways. Thai’s more important than sales. My goal is playing stadiums, and I don’t think having millions of illegal downloads hurts that.”West continues to tweak the DOND album after getting feedback from fellow artists and fans alike. He recently shared his living situation inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on IG:
From a close look at the photo, you can make out what appears to be some Bowflex weights, push up bars, shoes, clothes and unidentifiable box and a simple bed.What Is DONDA’s Track List?
The DONDA tracklist leaked online hours after West’s Atlanta listening party. Fans are refreshing their Apple Music accounts to see if the album is posted yet. Here is the DONDA tracklisting according to multiple sources on social media:- 24/ Y’all Gonna Be Okay
- South California (Feat. Pusha T & The World & Famous Tony Williams)
- Junya (Feat. Playboi Carti)
- Remote
- Praise God (Feat. Travis Scott, Pusha T & Baby Keem)
- Never Abandon Your Family
- Hurricane (Feat. Lil Baby & KayCyy)
- Moon (Feat. Don Toliver)
- Jonah (Feat. Vory, Lil Durk & Ty Dolla $ign)
- Pure Souls (Feat. Roddy Ricch)
- New Again
- Tell the Vision (Feat. Pop Smoke)
- I Know God Breathed On This (Feat. Vory)
- No Child Left Behind (Feat. Vory)
- Jail (Feat. Jay Z and Francis and The Lights)
- Life of the Party
- Jesus Lord
- Aye Ye Ye Ye
- Eternal Life (Feat. Big Sean)
- L.I.E.
- Hold the Wine
- I’ve Got One
- This Is the Glory
- Donda Donda Donda
- Lord I Need You
- Come To Lifie
- Our King
- Daylight (Feat. Theopilus London)
- Heaven and Hell
- I’m Not OK
Again, this is not an official list because West continues to craft the album.While many who have heard ‘Ye’s new music have not commented on it, what we do know comes from the Twitter account of Justin Laboy, who says he and NBA star Kevin Durant were treated to some tunes by West himself before the Atlanta event.West apparently is trying to make a stellar album that would follow his critically acclaimed “Jesus Is King” album.There is no word yet on how long West will remain in the Atlanta sports stadium.A representative for West confirmed to the Associated Press that the music maestro planned to remain inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to complete the album.
West has taken the city by storm since his arrival in Atlanta. July 22 was officially declared “Kanye West Day” by city officials.Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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If you’re a tea lover, you’re going to enjoy this one: Brooklyn Tea is opening their first franchise in Atlanta this summer!
Brooklyn Tea, began with a location in the Bedford–Stuyvesant aka Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York in 2019.
Brooklyn Tea’s Atlanta Location Will Open This Summer
Since then, the establishment has become synonymous with high quality, organic, and fair trade tea.
Brooklyn Tea founders Alfonso (Ali) Wright and Jamila McGill pride themselves on providing free-expert level tea education to customers, including promoting the holistic benefits of drinking tea.
The business found a second home in Atlanta due to McGill’s roots at Spelman College, which she attended alongside fellow alumna and longtime entrepreneur, Kerri-Ann T. Thomas.
When Thomas reached out to McGill about bringing Brooklyn Tea to Atlanta, it was just like old times. Located just minutes from Spelman and the AU Center, Brooklyn Tea will focus on serving the community and partnering with local organizations.
Photo credit: Brooklyn Tea We’ll be sure to bring you more information on Brooklyn Tea as we learn of it.
Atlanta continues to be a place with plentiful things to do, If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
Want to know where to eat below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following. -
Are you a fan of South Carolina-style barbecue? We’re talking whole hog. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ opened his barbecue restaurant in southwest Atlanta on July 27, 2021.
Scott, a James Beard Award-winning chef, launch his first BBQ restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, three years ago.
For his entry to Georgia, Scott has teamed with The Pihakis Restaurant Group to bring smoky and flavorful barbecue to Atlanta.
Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ Opening In Atlanta’s Adair Park Neighborhood
Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ also has locations in Birmingham, Alabama. The eatery was supposed to open in Atlanta by the end of 2020, but was delayed.
It was also going to open in Atlanta’s West End, but has chosen the popular Adair Park neighborhood.
How does Scott make his barbecue? The restaurant’s website describes it like this:
Hardwood is burned down to glowing embers at the side of the bbq pits. Those embers are shoveled carefully under the meat and tended—paying special attention to temperature and heat placement—using those coals to regulate cooking through the entire process.
Sounds absolutely delicious…
What’s On The Menu At Rodney Scott’s BBQ?
Rodney Scott’s BBQ menu includes brisket, a BBQ sandwich, as well as half-and full-slabs with sides like macaroni, greens and more. Check out one of the menus below:
If you can’t see the smoke from his grill at his local eatery, Scott will also be featured in the upcoming Netflix series “Chef’s Table.”
The documentary series has won acclaim for its deep dives into the culinary arts of various chefs, butchers and pitmasters like Scott.
Where Is Rodney Scott’s BBQ Located In Atlanta?
Rodney Scott’s BBQ is located at 668 Metropolitan Pkwy. SW Atlanta, Ga. Here’s a map to help you find it.
If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following. -
Leave it up to megastar rapper and producer Kanye West to put Atlanta back on the musical map for July. West chose downtown Atlanta’s largest venue to debut his new album.West held the second of two listening party events at Mercedes Benz Stadium at 8 p.m. in Atlanta on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Kanye West Invites Celebrities To Listening Party At Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The Sunday before, the artist treated a relatively small crowd to new music in Las Vegas. When tickets went on sale in Atlanta, TicketMaster users experienced a long wait before orders began to go through.This is how the tickets looked.
Along with guest appearances from 2Chainz and even Jay Z, the album’s first listen appears to be a winner.After a long delay, West finally came out to thunderous applause from the crowd.Kanye West absolutely rocked Atlanta last night with #dondalisteningparty pic.twitter.com/f3yG0paVEI
— Post Bad Swag (@PostBadSwag) July 23, 2021
What’s The Name Of Kanye West’s New Album?
West’s new album is reportedly called DONDA, which was his late mother’s name. And by choosing Mercedes-Benz Stadium, West is making it very clear that he believes his new songs are what he’s called stadium music.“I wanted my drums to bang harder in stadiums,” he told Concrete Loop. “Bono [of rock group U2] told me that ‘No one from your community has ever figured this out.’ And if you think about it, nobody of the black community can really sell out stadiums, like 30,000 seaters, there’s not one artist you can think of. I can think of four, you know, white artists.”He once said in a November 2007 Rolling Stone interview, “All those people that bootlegged the album, there’s a chance they’ll come to the concert, or play the music for their kids, that these songs will connect in different ways. Thai’s more important than sales. My goal is playing stadiums, and I don’t think having millions of illegal downloads hurts that.”What Is DONDA’s Tracklist?
The DONDA tracklist leaked online hours after West’s Atlanta listening party. Fans are refreshing their Apple Music accounts to see if the album is posted yet. Here is the DONDA tracklisting according to multiple sources on social media:- 24/ Y’all Gonna Be Okay
- South California (Feat. Pusha T)
- Junya Watanabe (Feat. Playboi Carti)
- Remote Control
- Praise God (Feat. Travis Scott & Baby Keem)
- Welcome to My Life
- Hurricane (Feat. Lil Baby & KayCyy)
- Moon (Feat. Don Toliver)
- Unttitled (Feat. vory, Lil Durk & Ty Dolla $ign)
- Pure Souls (Feat. Roddy Ricch)
- New Again
- We Made It (Feat. Pop Smoke)
- I Know God Breathed On This (Feat. Vory)
- No Child Left Behind (Feat. Vory)
- Heaven & Hell (Feat. Jay Z)
Again, this is not an official list because West has delayed release of the album.While many who have heard ‘Ye’s new music have not commented on it, what we do know comes from the Twitter account of Justin Laboy, who says he and NBA star Kevin Durant were treated to some tunes by West himself over the weekend.Kanye played his new album for me & @KDTrey5 last night in Vegas. Man listen! The production is light years ahead of it’s time, and the bars sound like he’s broke & hungry trying to get signed again. Any artist who plan on dropping soon should just push it back 😤 #Respectfully
— Respectfully Justin (@JustinLaboy) July 18, 2021
Laboy also posted some photos of the encounter with West and Durant, which he said will take modern music in a whole new direction when West drops the album.
The pastor of LVChurch has confirmed that West will be inviting a crowd of people to be among the first to hear his 10th album in Atlanta.The pastor of ChurchLV has further confirmed the Kanye West event happening on Thursday in Atlanta for LP10! pic.twitter.com/sSuNsEMeJw
— On Thin Ice (@OnnThinIce) July 18, 2021
Is This The DONDA Album Cover?
No official word yet, but social media is abuzz on platforms like @dondasplace on Instagram with an image purportedly from visual artist Louise Bourgeois, a French sculptor and plastic artist and naturalized American citizen who painted a red figure that some are saying is the cover art for DONDA.
In addition to paintings, Bourgeois is well known for her public art installations and sculpture.
Final Word
If you’ve never been to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the acoustics are perfect for the big sounds of an artist like West. The cavernous hallways in the Merc-Benz will help circulate the booms and baps of his music like few stadiums can.
It’s actually quite appropriate that West would choose Atlanta for new music. He was born in Atlanta.Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
Read more AtlantaFi.com stories: -
JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge, a funky retro-style bar, is having its grand opening on Friday, July 23, 2021, according to the establishment’s website.
The bar is tucked away deep inside Colony Square’s food space Politan Row, which opened this summer.
JoJo’s has a ’70s vibe that extends to the drinks, decor and even the website, which is plastered with vinyl-style posters of the greats of yesteryear.
“Expect oft-maligned favorites from the era of disco and glam. You’ll channel a time of skates and tapes, when seedy glamour, indulgence, and boogie were king,” the lounge’s website says.
Jojo’s is located at the back of the food hall, and the disco glam atmosphere will make you think you were in the days of the Carter Administration.
Where Is JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge Located?
JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge is located at 1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. Here’s a map to help you find it.
If you want to check out some other romantic restaurants in Atlanta, these are hard to beat. But Atlanta also has trendy restaurants, pop-ups and time-tested landmarks that continue to draw big crowds.Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
More From AtlantaFi.com:
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Have you ever taken a selfie? Actually the answer is really how many selfies have you taken? Everybody loves to take selfies and post them on Instagram or another social media platform.
But what do you know about the Selfie Museum in Atlanta? It’s a great place to take the kids and more. Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in going.
Selfie Museum: What You Need To Know
The Selfie Museum is a pop-up installation that caters to everyone to toddlers to adults who love taking photos of themselves. In a very short time, the museum has become an Atlanta landmark.
Interested in checking it out? Here are some things you will want to know.
What Is The Selfie Museum?
The Selfie Museum is a family-friendly destination for both visitors to Atlanta as well as local residents who love taking photos of themselves. Is it an actual museum? Not really.
The Selfie Museum is a photography studio located in the heart of the city offering something fun to do for families and individuals.
The fun backgrounds, sights and colors make for some of the best photos you’ll ever take of yourself. All you need to bring is a cheerful smile and your camera!
How Much Does The Selfie Museum Cost?
Contrary to popular belief, the Selfie Museum is not free. You can enjoy it for a small cost of admission. Here are the prices:
- Ages 0-3: Free
- Ages 4-12: $22
- Adults Mon-Thur: $27
- Adults Fri-Sun: $32
Reserve your ticket online HERE.
What Are The Hours For The Selfie Museum?
You might imagine that something like a selfie museum would be open 24/7, but no, everyone has to get their beauty rest for… photos (duh). Here are the operating hours of the Selfie Museum:
- Mon – Thur: 12pm – 9pm
- Fri: 12pm – 10pm
- Sat: 10am – 12am (midnight)
- Sun: 10am – 9pm
Where Is The Selfie Museum Located?
The Selfie Museum is located at 116 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. Atlanta, Ga. 30313. If you type “SELFIE MUSEUM” into Google Maps, you’ll be shown it on your device. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
If you’re visiting the city or just want something fun to do while downtown, check out the Selfie Museum. If you’re bringing a large group of 15 or more people, reach out to atlantaselfiemuseum@gmail.com for a discounted rate.
While you’re at it, take advantage of the outdoors. Don’t miss these awesome summer festivals.
The fun is just starting. Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit a craft brewery in the city.
Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
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