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Entertainment / Events / Food & Drink / Things To Do1 Min Read
Black Restaurant Week comes to Atlanta Sept. 1 -15 to celebrate the diverse culinary excellence of chefs of color. Here’s what’s cooking in the kitchen.
Black Restaurant Week has hit several cities across the United States, and now it’s Atlanta’s turn.
Black Restaurant Week: Everything you need to know
The two-week event highlights the black culinary industry by using awareness and education events to stimulate growth of African American owned culinary businesses and farms across the United States.
Here are some of the can’t-miss events of Black Restaurant Week Atlanta:
Art of Flavor: Atlanta Pop Up Dinner 2019
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Thousands of people flocked to venues around Atlanta, including the Hyatt Hotel downtown, for the Bronzelens Film Festival.
“Evelyn x Evelyn” directed by Eric Pumphrey was awarded the distinction as Best Short. Pumphrey received $2,500 from BET Networks Interim Head of Scripted Development Rose Catherine Pinkney.
Thousands Attend BronzeLens Film Festival In Downtown Atlanta
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Bronzelens Awards were hosted by comedian Rodney Perry.
The BronzeLens Closing Night Feature was the world premiere of director Trey Haley’s romantic comedy, “Always a Bridesmaid,” written by actress Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community,” Avengers Endgame), and starring Javicia Leslieand Jordan Calloway.
Calloway has become a hot commodity on the TV scene, with several agents reaching out to her concerning upcoming projects.
The storyline focuses on Corina, who is stuck being everyone’s bridesmaid. Deciding to no longer be a lady-in-waiting, she bravely re-enters the dating scene.
Time will only tell if she will “Always Be A Bridesmaid” or if the love of her life is around the corner. The film will be aired on BET Networks this fall.
Another film that garnered praise at the festival was “Princess of the Row,” a cautionary tale of how our country doesn’t value veterans and make. Check out the trailer below.
Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.
Jordan Calloway’s Always A Bridesmaid
With more than 700 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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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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Restaurants / Things To Do4 Min Read
One new Atlanta restaurant pulling in some consistent crowds is Krab Queenz Seafood & Daiquiri, which opened in Midtown Atlanta on Friday, August 17, 2019.
I ventured into the restaurant located in the space formerly occupied by Gladys Knight Chicken & Waffles early in the day to beat the crowds, which form every weekend.
Krab Queenz Seafood & Daiquiri Review: Inside the Midtown Atlanta Restaurant
They’ve done a great job with renovating the place, which has an interior full of wooden tables, chairs and decor reminiscent of a college sports bar. But there’s no need to have plush furniture when you’re dealing with juicy crabs and delectable seafood: Things can get quite messy.
One of the first things you need to know about eating at Krab Queenz ATL is that you have to pay in advance. Not only does this save you time rather than waiting on the server to return with the bill after the meal, but this ensures a measure of quality control for the establishment.
In other words: Krab Queenz is making sure that everybody’s getting paid and they won’t chance the alternative.
My server was especially helpful: Advising me on getting the wet fries rather than the dry ones. I asked him what his favorite dish was and he immediately listed several of them that he enjoyed.
For fries, the restaurant offers three varieties: Original, Cajun and Lemon Pepper. For the latter, you have the option of getting them wet or dry.You can also pair your seafood with waffles. So, you can get Lobster & Waffles, Gator & Waffles and other combos.I tried the Gator Basket, which comes with a side of Cajun Ramoulade sauce and fries. The gator came in huge chunks and was delicious.Keeping with the Louisiana theme, Krab Queenz offers daiquiris, a New Orleans specialty. In the back of the restaurant, there’s a whole daiquiri bar that serves the frozen drinks.But here’s the best part: Krab Queenz sells seafood by the pound. If you want to pick up some crab and bring it to your home for a small food gathering, you can do that.After a hearty meal, I can see why this place has two other locations (Los Angeles and Houston). The food is the bomb, the staff is flawlessly attentive and Krab Queenz is offering one of the most popular cuisines in America: Louisiana seafood. I’ll be back.Where Is Krab Queenz Located In Atlanta?
Krab Queenz Seafood & Daiquiris is located at 529 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA. 30308. Here’s a map to help you find it.Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. If you want to know about more Atlanta seafood restaurants, here are the best spots to visit.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.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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Business / Entertainment / Reality TV2 Min Read
One thing about Atlanta is that it’s full of celebrities at every turn. Atlantafi.com recently caught up with actress, producer and reality TV star Yandy Smith Harris to learn about Yelle, her skincare line.
Harris shared what motivated her to get into the beauty and cosmetics industry.
Yandy Smith Harris: Yelle Skincare Is Dedicated To Melanin-Rich Skin
“When I started getting on TV that was my first time wearing makeup and my skin really reacted badly to it. I broke out really bad.”
She said that when she went to Sephora to get everything she needed to clear up her skin, the total bill was more than $600.
“I realized the average woman would not be able to afford an all-natural plant-based skincare line that would cost $600 a month,” she said.
“That’s when I decided I wanted to get with a master esthetician and a chemist to create something that was green, that was natural, that was plant-based for the everyday working woman like myself.”
I wanted to make sure that this product was for people with melanin in their skin.”
Where Can You Buy Yelle Skincare?
You can buy Yandy Smith’s skincare products at yelleskincare.com.
The Atlanta hair industry is one of the largest in the Southeast, with more than 8 million people getting groomed each month.
But you can do it yourself. All you need are some quality shears and some high-performance clippers to get the job done. Check out our Beauty Page for other ways to get shaped up.
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Entertainment3 Min Read
Cat got their tongue? Not ever. Not Alexis, Williams and Cyd Raine. The two women run Catnipz Podcast, a digital radio show that shares the point of view of millennial women all across the U.S.
But there’s more: Catnipz happens to be one of the best Atlanta podcasts out there. And we’re not saying that just because we’re cat people (aren’t we all?).
AtlantaFi.com got the chance to talk to the creators of the Catnipz Podcast about the show, what motivates them and what’s next.
Catnipz Podcast: These 2 Atlanta women show their tales (tails?)
As we mentioned at the outset, the Catnipz Podcast stars a dynamic duo: Alexis, a 31-year-old entrepreneur and marketing specialist from St. Louis, Missouri, and Cyd Raine, a master’s candidate studying behavior analysis.
Cyd, an Atlanta native, recently relocated to Los Angeles and works as a behavior interventionist.
Alexis also owns and operates a hair salon in the heart of Atlanta.
Now let’s get into the Catnipz Podcast and what it’s about:
What inspired you to create the Catnipz Podcast?
We started the Catnipz Podcast with our love for nonconventional thinking and cats inspired us to create the Catnipz. We felt that women of our caliber deserved a conversation space to freely think and grow.
Indeed, the podcast delves into serious topics facing women today, but breaks them down in a playful and culturally accessible way.
Here’s how they describe it:
We got into podcasting as an outlet for personal therapy and to provide a voice for the underrepresented women of color.
“It’s an opportunity to share our experiences online.”
Most of the content for the show stems from real life adventures, conversations, and life lessons.
What is the Catnipz Podcast about?
The Catnipz is about all things millennial renaissance cat ladies love.
We wanted to change the narrative around what a cat lady is and does. The show is … a magazine concept / newsroom podcast, covering relevant pop culture topics, beauty & fashion, our version of love and relationships, with a special blend of self care and narcissistic advice.
Exactly. No matter if you’re a catlady or catman, the show is a hilarious take on how two Atlanta-centric women see the world today.
Want to listen to the Catnipz Podcast? Check it out on iTunes.
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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Google just announced the winner of its national Doodle 4 Google competition and we’ve got a local champ.Arantza Pena Popo, a senior from Arabia Mountain High School in DeKalb County, won the national competition, Google announced.
Lithonia teen wins national Google Doodle contest
Earlier this summer, the Lithonia teen advanced to the online voting stage where she competed with artists around the country.Arantza’s doodle is titled “Once You Get It, Give It Back.”original story:How to help Arantza win Doogle 4 Google contest
All you have to do is vote here.
Online voting began June 3 and will end June 7. From there five National Finalists will be selected. They will be announced by Google later in the month.One of them will be chosen to have their doodle featured on the Google homepage for a day.The National Winner also gets a $30,000 college scholarship and their school gets a $50,000 tech package towards the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or technology program.To see a full list of state winners and to vote online, visit http://www.google.com/doodle4google/vote.html 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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El Super Pan – Ponce City Market is getting into a festive mood this week with Placita Friday.
Come to the restaurant at 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE to join in on the festivities.
Placita Friday at El Super Pan in Midtown Atlanta
Upcoming Dates
So what is Placita Friday all about? It means that during the dates listed below, El Super Pan will be hosting La Placita at their Ponce City Market location.
This event is open to the public and features festive music provided by a DJ, dancing and fabuloso food and drink specials. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend!
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Friday, August 9
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Friday, August 30
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Friday, September 27
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Friday, October 25
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Friday, November 22
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Friday, December 20
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s 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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Ready for some culinary soul? Then, you do not want to miss the Atlanta Black Chefs Food Expo on September 21, 2019.
The event showcases Atlanta’s black chef entrepreneurs and their delicious dishes.
Atlanta Black Chefs Food Expo: Everything you need to know
Attendees can expect to find some hidden gems as well as valuable info on Southern cooking, contemporary recipes and innovative cooking and baking methods.
Click here for ticket information
Where will the Atlanta Black Chefs Food Expo be held?
The Atlanta Black Chefs Expo will be held at Posh Event Boutique, 2778 Broad St. Austell, GA 30106.
The time of the event will be Sep 21, 11 AM to 3 PM.
Chefs, grab your Chefs Table before they run out!! Foodies!! You don’t want to miss a room filled with delicious food from a variety of Atlanta chefs.
Up next: The best soul food restaurants 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.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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College Park is getting restaurant this week: Black Gurl Brunch Club is opening on Virginia Avenue.
Black Gurl Brunch Club is being brought to us by Chef Lawrence Page and his wife, Ana Lavender.
Lavender is also owner/ general manager of Pink Teacup Villa and star of WeTv’s hit reality show “Hustle & Soul.”
Where is Black Gurl Brunch Club located?
The Black Gurl Brunch Club restaurant is located at 1583 Virginia Ave. in College Park in the old home of the The Pig & The Pint. Here is a map to help you find it.
RESTAURANT OUTRO + LINKSAtlanta 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.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta