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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Dragon Con, the pop-culture convention for science fiction, fantasy, gaming, art, comics, music, and film, is set to invade Atlanta on August 29 – Sept. 2, 2019.
Attendees at the Marriott Marquis can expect a heavy dose of cosplay, workshops, panels, contests, vendors, and videos in downtown hotels.
Dragon Con Atlanta 2029: Everything you need to know
There’s also going to be willing guests for scheduled autographs (signings) in one area. On Thursday, Aug. 29, patrons are invited to gather at the Center for Puppetry Arts for our final ball honoring Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic”.
A free Dragon Con Party in Woodruff Park is also set for Friday (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). There’s also a Dragon Con Parade on Peachtree Street is Saturday (10 a.m.).
Explore Atlanta at your own pace
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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OpenTable just released its list of the 50 Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants in America for 2019 and one Atlanta restaurant made the list: Old Lady Gang.
The annual listing shows where families can bring their kids to eat or celebrate their big day. As parents know, kid-friendly restaurants are getting far and few between.
Old Lady Gang makes list of top kid-friendly restaurants in America
Old Lady Gang is a restaurant started by celebrity couple Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss-Tucker. The name of the eatery is from Joyce “Mama Joyce” Jones, Bertha Jones & Nora Wilcox, known as the original OLG.
The restaurant has been a hit around Atlanta and has grown quickly in only a few years.
Old Lady Gang has three locations in metro Atlanta: The original one at 177 Peters St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 in Castleberry Hill. Another is inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Another one is at 3650 Marketplace Blvd at Camp Creek in East Point.
The list from OpenTable features restaurants from 16 states across the country. The way OpenTable compiled the list from more than 12 million verified diner reviews of over 30,000 U.S. restaurants.
Georgia landed two more restaurants on the list: The Pirates’ House – Savannah, Georgia and Henry’s Louisiana Grill in Acworth.
Here are states with multiple restaurants that are good for kids:
- New York and Florida — 7
- Hawaii — 6
- California, South Carolina — 4
- Georgia, Illinois and Washington, D.C. — 3
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken a/nd waffles.
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Atlantans is the first test market for KFC’s new Beyond Meat fried chicken. One metro Atlanta restaurant — the KFC on Cobb Parkway near SunTrust Park address: (2637 Cobb Pkwy SE, Smyrna) – is the first to serve the plant-based fried chicken.
Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri is an early fan. He posted on Twitter about KFC’s new vegan chicken, saying:
“For the record this Beyond Meat KFC is right, if you vegan and you on the fence but you be eating soy nuggets, this should take the place of that, one because these are not soy, also the sauce in the add is honey mustard but it’s not vegan, FYI for any first timers. get the BBQ.”
With the success other fast-food restaurants have had with meatless products (Burger King’s Impossible Burger), KFC parent company Yum Brands wants it to be the first eatery to have a Beyond Chicken item on the menu.
KFC tests plant-based chicken in metro Atlanta
At the Cobb County KFC, customers can get a complimentary sample of Beyond Fried Chicken from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. August 27 (with purchase of any KFC menu item, while supplies last).
Beyond reportedly discontinued its vegan chicken from grocery stores after sales were not robust enough.
KFC is taking a wait and see approach to vegan chicken. If the Atlanta market flocks to the Smyrna location and goes for it, you can expect it to roll out to other states and eventually nationwide.
KFC is trying to strengthen its position domestically after strong showings this year from Chick-Fil-A, which introduced meal kits last year, and Popeyes, which recently debuted a chicken sandwich.
Plant-based cuisine is taking a hold in Atlanta. Several restaurants that specialize in vegan or vegetarian options have sprouted up in Atlanta recently.
Up next: Slutty Vegan opening Edgewood location
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The Clark Atlanta University football program is ready to take the field for the 2019-20 season with new head coach Tim Bowens at the helm.
Bowens was welcomed to the university in April, where he told faculty and administrators, “We’re going to pay attention to detail on every, little thing. We’re going to work really hard at that, in setting the standard and making sure we are excellent.”
Let’s take a look at the Clark Atlanta University 2019 football schedule:
Here is the Clark Atlanta University 2019 football schedule
Saturday, Sept. 7 Livingstone College CAU Panther Stadium 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 Allen University Columbia, SC TBA Saturday, Sept. 21 Central State University CAU Panther Stadium 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept 28 Albany State University CAU Panther Stadium 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 Miles College Fairfield, Ala 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 Tuskegee Frankfort, KY 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 Savannah State – Homecoming CAU Panther Stadium 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 Fort Valley State – Senior Day CAU Panther Stadium 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 Benedict College Columbia, SC 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov 9 Morehouse College Atlanta, GA 2 p.m. Bowens came from nearly Georgia State University in Atlanta and before that he was a wide receiver at the University of Alabama.
His resume also includes stints at South Alabama, Samford, Alabama-Birmingham, and the University of Alabama.
“We got him from the other Panthers from down the street and he is now here to be a part of the real Panther nation,” CAU Interim President Mauge told the crowd in April.
To cap the season, CAU will face off against AU Center rival Morehouse College. The teams have identical records of 48-48-2 in the all-time series.
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The Morehouse Maroon Tigers are ready to take the field as one of the top HBCUs in the country in 2019. This fall, Head coach Rich Freeman enters his 13th season as head coach of the Maroon Tigers.
The Maroon Tigers begin the 2019 season against the Bulldogs on Sunday, Sept. 1, in the inaugural Black College Hall of Fame Classic at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Morehouse will Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Sept. 28, as they welcome Savannah State University back to the SIAC for MHC’s home opener.
Let’s take a look at the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 2019 football schedule:
Here is the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 2019 football schedule
Sunday, Sept. 1 Alabama A&M Canton, Ohio 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 At Edward Waters (FL) Jacksonville, FL 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 Miles College Fairfield, Ala 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept 28 Savannah State Atlanta, GA 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 Kentucky State Atlanta, GA 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 Tuskegee Columbus, GA 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 At Fort Valley State Fort Valley, GA 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 Benedict College Atlanta, GA 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 Albany State Albany, GA 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov 9 Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA 2 p.m. Georgia Tech has always played great games against Clark Atlanta, its fellow AU Center rival. This year, the two face off to wrap up the season on Senior Day.
The teams come into the game with an identical 48-48-2 in the all-time series.
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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was on hand to join Shaquille O’Neal and Papa Johns CEO Steve Ritchie to cut the ribbon on O’Neal’s new Papa John’s restaurant near Georgia Tech in Midtown Atlanta.
Shaq is on the Papa John’s Board of Directors and the company uses him as a spokesman.
Shaq buys Papa Johns in Midtown Atlanta
According to security filings, the pizza chain is paying the NBA great $4.1 million in cash over three years. Shaq is also getting 87,136 shares of stock that vest between 2020 and 2022, according to restaurantbusinessonline.com.
Those shares are reportedly worth $4.4 million.
The deal also includes Shaq appearing on the company’s social media accounts once a month and other partnership plans.
On Sunday, the City of Atlanta’s Twitter account posted about the ribbon-cutting in Midtown.
Mayor @KeishaBottoms joined Shaquille O’Neal and @PapaJohns CEO Steve Ritchie to cut the ribbon on @SHAQ’s new Papa John’s restaurant near @GeorgiaTech. Congrats, @SHAQ! pic.twitter.com/F91GLZPgLi
— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) August 25, 2019
Shaq owns several Midtown Atlanta establishments in the food industry, including the iconic Krispy Kreme on Ponce de Leon Avenue.
In 2016, the TNT analyst paid $1.1 million for an estate in McDonough. The property is spread out across 14 acres and features two homes, a basketball court, a theatre and a three-stall barn.
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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The Georgia Tech Yellowjackets are ready to play for ACC football in 2019. Georgia plays at legendary Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field in Midtown Atlanta.
Head coach Geoff Collins and the gang are looking to challenge for the ACC crown by taking on venerable schools such as Clemson and the University of Miami. The Yellowjackets regular season looks like they will be able to turn in an eight-win season.
Let’s take a look at the Georgia Tech 2019 football schedule:
Here is the Georgia Tech 2019 football schedule
Date Opponent Location Time Thursday, Aug. 29 At Clemson 52-14 Clemson, SC 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 USF – Whiteout Atlanta, GA 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 The Citadel Atlanta, GA 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept 28 At Temple Philadelphia, PA TBA Saturday, Oct. 5 North Carolina – HOF Atlanta, GA TBA Saturday, Oct. 12 At Duke Durham, NC TBA Saturday, Oct. 19 At Miami Miami Gardens, FL TBA Saturday, Nov. 2 Pitt – Homecoming Atlanta, GA TBA Saturday, Nov. 9 At Virginia Charlottesville, VA TBA Saturday, Nov 16 Virginia Tech Atlanta, GA TBA Saturday, Nov. 23 NC State Atlanta, GA 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 Georgia Atlanta, GA TBA Georgia Tech has always played great games against Clemson and Miami, and this year is shaping up to be no different as the Tigers enter the season ranked #1.
Inside the state, Tech’s biggest rival is the Bulldogs, who annually match up at the end of the year.
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The grand opening of Stacy’s Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in Rome is set for Tuesday, August 27, 2019. The celebration will include a week of giveaways, incentives and special guests. Stacy Brown, “The Chick” behind Chicken Salad Chick, is returning to her hometown of Rome, Georgia to bring her acclaimed Southern, fast-casual eatery to the masses.
The new restaurant is located at 800 Martha Berry Blvd. by Floyd Medical Center. The grand opening will begin with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. and doors will open at 10 a.m.
On August 23 and 24, the restaurant will host two Friends & Family events benefiting the Ruth and Naomi House. Chicken salad enthusiasts interested in visiting the restaurant on either of these days are encouraged to message the eatery’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickRome, and they can enter to win a year of free chicken salad by liking the restaurant’s Facebook Page.
On opening day, visitors are in for a treat as they will be able to meet Stacy Brown and the real chicks who inspired some of the brand’s popular flavors—including Kickin’ Kay Lynne, Classic Carol, Rockin’ Rita, Jazzy Julie, Nutty Nana, Sassy Scotty, Cranberry Kelli, Buffalo Barclay and Jalapeno Holly.
Also on Opening Day, the first 100 guests will receive FREE Chicken Salad for a year! To celebrate this affair all week long, locals can experience the southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for with giveaways and specials at the new restaurant:
- Tuesday, August 27 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year: The first 100 guests will receive free Chicken Salad Chick for an entire year, equivalent to one free large Quick Chick per month for 12 months. *Line begins at 6 a.m. on opening day. Guests on premise prior to 6 a.m. will not be eligible for the giveaway* Any guests unable to join for the morning first 100 giveaway may enter throughout the day into a special drawing for Free Chicken Salad for a year.
- Wednesday, August 28 – Free Chick Tumbler: The first 50 guests at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. who purchase the Chick Trio will receive a free stainless steel 32 oz. Chicken Salad Chick tumbler.*
- Thursday, August 29 – Free Rome Chick t-shirt: The first 100 guests to purchase the Chick Trio will receive a free commemorative Rome Chick t-shirt while supplies last.*
- Friday, August 30 – Morning and Afternoon Giveaways: The first 50 guests at 10 a.m. will be given the opportunity to join the Scoop of the Month Club. Members will receive one free scoop of chicken salad each month. In addition, in the spirit of keeping Rome green, the first 50 guests at 6 p.m. who make a $25 purchase will receive a one-of-a-kind Chick Planter!*
- Saturday, August 31 – Free Large Chick Cooler: The first 100 guests to purchase two Quick Chicks To-Go will receive the perfect picnic present – a free Chicken Salad Chick cooler!*
This restaurant is just one of many that make up the vast metro Atlanta food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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The Georgia State University Panthers are ready to play for Sun Belt football in 2019. Georgia State Stadium is just south of downtown Atlanta, a perfect place for some gridiron.
The Panthers football team has only been in existence since 2010, but it has made strides since then and been able to recruit some quality athletes from inside and outside the state.
Here is the Georgia State Panthers 2019 football schedule
Date Opponent Location Time Saturday, Aug. 31 Tennessee 38-30 Knoxville, TN 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 Furman 48-42 GSU Stadium, Atlanta, GA 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 At Western Michigan Kalamazoo, MI 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept 21 At Texas State San Marcos, Texas TBA Saturday, Oct. 5 Arkansas State GSU Stadium, Atlanta, GA 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 At Coastal Carolina Conway, S.C. TBA Saturday, Oct. 19 Army GSU Stadium, Atlanta, GA 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 Troy GSU Stadium, Atlanta, GA 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 At ULM Monroe, LA TBA Saturday, Nov 16 Appalachian State GSU Stadium, Atlanta, GA 2 p.m. Georgia State’s biggest rival is Georgia Southern, which is located in Statesboro. Although the teams have squared up quite a few times in basketball, they meet in football only so often until a few years ago.
That’s when both schools joined the Sun Belt Conference. Since then it has become a heated in-state rivalry that brings out the best in fans.Week 1: GSU 38- Tennessee 30
The party was in downtown Atlanta on Aug. 31 after the Georgia State University Panthers shocked the Tennessee Volunteers 38-30 at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee, a former powerhouse team in the SEC, was supposed to mop the field with the Panthers, who were three-score underdogs. Instead, GSU handed the Vols their first home opening loss since 1983.
Week 2: GSU 48- Furman 42
In a thrilling game that saw Georgia State get behind after leading for most of the way, the Panthers scored late to beat Furman University 48-42.
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In celebration of the culinary yardbird, the can’t-miss event of 2019 is the Springer Mountain Farms Southern Wing Showdown.
The festival takes place on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at The Fairmont. The summer festival pays homage to the Southern staple and creative ways to present and cook it.
Springer Mountain Farms Southern Wing Showdown: Everything you need to know
The showdown, which this year is sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms and Big Green Egg and produced by Taste of Atlanta, will feature chefs from 30+establishments throughout the prolific Southeast.
Some of the kitchens represented will be Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Now in its fourth year, the Springer Mountain Farms Southern Wing Showdown will feature acclaimed chefs coming up with dishes using Springer Mountain Farms chicken.
The farm’s chicken is raised without antibiotics, steroids, growth stimulants or hormones, so attendees can focus on the unique recipes crafted by the chefs.
Those who attend can enjoy wings and sides along with beer, wine and cocktails that go well with the food.
Which ever chef takes home the top prize of “Best Wing” gets to take home a Big Green Egg.
Where does the Springer Mountain Farms Southern Wing Showdown take place this year?
Springer Mountain Farms Southern Wing Showdown 2019 is happening at 1429 Fairmont Ave NW, Atlanta, Ga 30318. Here is a map to help you find it.
celebrating unique takes on a Southern staple, will return for its fourth year on Sunday, August 25 at The Fairmont (1429 Fairmont Ave NW) in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood from 1pm to 5pm. the event will feature creative talent from over 30 prominent Southeastern chefs hailing from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories