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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Atlanta hip-hop impresario Jermaine Dupri announced Monday that his record label, So So Def, will embark on a multi-state tour. The “Cultural Currency” tour comes to Atlanta’s Philips Arena on October 21.
Dupri headlines the tour with a stable of So So Def artists including Xscape, Anthony Hamilton, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Bow Wow, Dem Franchize Boyz, Bone Crusher, J-Kwon and Youngbloodz. Dupri in association with AEG Presents, will play 11 cities across the United States to mark 25 years of his iconic label, So So Def.
“Blessings are bigger when you share them. One of my biggest blessings is to be able to go tour with all my artists. I can’t wait,” Dupri said in a written statement.
SoSoDef 25th Anniversary CULTURAL CURREN$Y TOUR Schedule:
Date
City
Arena
October 14
Washington D.C.
Capital One Arena
October 18
Brooklyn, NY
Barclays Center
October 19
Baltimore, MD
Royal Farms Arena
October 20
Greensboro, NC
Coliseum
October 21
Atlanta, GA
Philips Arena
TBD
Chicago, IL
United Center
October 25
Nashville, TN
Bridgestone Arena
October 26
Memphis, TN
FedExForum
October 28
Charlotte, NC
Spectrum Center
October 31
Detroit, MI
Little Caesars Arena
November 2
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
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Atlanta and reggae go together like brown stew chicken and rice on Redan Road. And things are about to get even more intimate. Reggae In The Park (RITP) is coming back to Atlanta for its fifth anniversary.
This year, the event will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 12 – 9 PM in southwest Atlanta’s Perkerson Park (off Deckner Avenue) in the Capitol View neighborhood.
Free to the public, RITP is a Caribbean music and culture festival with live performances from local and international bands, artists and DJs. Of course, there will be plenty of international food and a market to buy clothes and other global fare.
Started in 2014 has a small community get-together, RITP has grown into one of the biggest reggae festivals in the Southeast. The organizers of RITP promot the principles of unity and togetherness under the banner of Reggae music and culture. This brought about our slogan “No Clicks. No Crews. One Love. BeREGGAE.”
Atlanta’s Reggae in the Park: Saturday, August 11 at Perkerson Park SW
There will be several musical performances to enjoy. There will also be drum circles and lawn games in Rythm Field, the wave of vibez from the stage on Limelight Hill and the beating heart of The Yard better known as the Dancehall @ Lovers Rock. Two international food courts, Romper Field (a dynamic kids zone) and much more are in store.
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A popular Latin-inspired restaurant featuring sharing-style dining is opening its second location in metro Atlanta, AtlantaFi has learned. Babalu Tapas & Tacos’ opened its first restaurant in the city at the 33 Peachtree Place retail/residential development on the corner of West Peachtree Street and Peachtree Place.
Next year, Babalu is slated to open in the old Roswell Theater building in Roswell.
The term Babalu comes from the song made famous from actor Desi Arnaz’s character Ricky Ricardo in the television series “I Love Lucy.” Monday’s opening marks the seventh location of the Jackson, Mississippi-founded restaurant.
When the Midtown location opened last year, corporate execs were bullish on Atlanta.
“With our corporate offices nearby, our new Midtown Atlanta restaurant is an extra special opening for our team of experienced leaders who know the city like the back of their hands,” Stan Stout, chief operating officer of Roswell-based Eat Here Brands, said in a news release. “We’re excited to be in a city that’s known for its Southern hospitality because offering a dining experience that brings people together is what we’re all about.”
Here are some of our favorite menu items from Babalu:- Signature guacamole made tableside with Hass avocado, sun-dried tomato, red and green onion, kosher salt, cilantro and lime juice, served with house chips
- Pan roasted redfish: rösti potatoes, smoked corn pico de gallo, red chili butter sauce
- Taco de pato: duck confit, avocado mousse, yellow onions, Cotija cheese, lime vinaigrette & cilantro
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Construction began in Atlanta recently on Gentry, a luxury mixed-use apartment community in Buckhead, AtlantaFi has learned.
The 21-story high-rise community located at 3172 Roswell Road used to be a one-acre parking lot. Situated in a prime location close to The Shops at Buckhead, Whole Foods, Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall, the development will be in the center of the action when it is completed.
Gentry: Mixed-use development headed for Buckhead
When all is said and done, Gentry will feature 290 apartment homes and 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project is being developed by LMC and Hoar Construction. The companies recently collaborated on The Morris, a luxury apartment community in Nashville that opened in 2017.
“We’re excited to join the robust Buckhead market and get started on an apartment community that will be situated in the center of so many recreational activities,” said Chris Cassidy, division president of the Southeast for LMC. “With the vast shopping and dining options within walking distance, this will be a place where residents can ditch their cars for the weekend and relax within the neighborhood. With the stellar location, the remainder of the city will be at their fingertips, as well.”
Gentry is expected to get its first tenants in mid-2020.
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Finally, one of the most state-of-the-art sports facilities in the world is adding another straw to its hat. Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium was well regarded as the newest NFL stadium with a retractable roof — but last season venue officials couldn’t quite get it to work.
This week, Merc-Benz opened up like a beautiful metallic flower in downtown Atlanta.
Last fall when the stadium opened, construction delays portended to be the reason for the delay, the AMB Group, the consortium that runs the stadium, us ready this time for the 2018 Atlanta Falcons season in the $1.6 billion stadium.
Atlanta’s is the fifth NFL stadium with a retractable roof. The other four are AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys), Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts), NRG Stadium (Houston Texans), and University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona Cardinals).
See Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium retract (video) https://t.co/tQP1q5rFzT pic.twitter.com/EaTy2sphVu
— ATLHAPS (@atlhaps) July 26, 2018
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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Few things are as iconic in downtown Atlanta as the unassuming red store on the corner of Decatur Street in what is now Georgia State University environs. That red store is where dreams were made and properly fitted. Walter Strauss saw to it.
Strauss, who died recently in Atlanta, was a legendary clothing and shoe entrepreneur whose store became the mecca for exotic kicks and street styles popularized by hip-hop celebrities.
Walter Strauss of Walter’s Sneaker Store Passes Away In Atlanta
Atlanta has had other shoe and fashion titans. Florsheims reigned for decades just off Forsyth downtown. But people used to wait in long lines outside Walter’s when a new sneaker came out. That’s just the way it was.
For more than 60 years, Walter’s was the place to buy sneakers for not only metro Atlanta, but the world. People used to fly into town from international cities to cop the latest exotic sneaks from Walters.
Atlanta radio personality and DJ Greg Street said Strauss was a pioneer for men’s sneakers, opening up a market that would be worth billions of dollars decades later. “He took a chance on the vision opening his store in 1952 before us sneaker heads were even thought of, before Nike was even created. We’re going to miss you Walt,” Street said on Instagram.
Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said that Walter’s experience touched him as a child. “Walter Strauss loved Atlanta. So many ATL stories happened there. My Dad took me there to get the leather Converse AllStars when I was a kid. Going there was like a rite of passage for fathers and sons. May God’s grace be with his family and loved ones,” he posted on Twitter.
The Shoegame.com also paid tribute.
RIP to the founder of legendary Atlanta sneaker store Walter’s. The sneaker community lost a legend today, Walter Strauss. Walt has been in business 60+ years and paved the way for a lot of shops/boutiques. You will be missed, Walt. pic.twitter.com/VC37MFxULq
— TheShoeGame.com (@TheShoeGame) July 26, 2018
Eight years ago, Strauss made the news when longtime Walter’s employee Horace Benton passed away from colon cancer. Strauss told the AJC. “He worked for me for 49 years, and I can tell you he made me. I always felt he would come back.”
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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Atlanta may not be on the coast, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fresh seafood shipped in on the daily. On Sunday, August 5, 2018, Hugo’s Oyster Bar and C&S Chowder House are celebrating one of the biggest days of the year: National Oyster Day!
If you’ve got an oyster Jones, come to either of the eateries and get in on the festivities and enjoy $1 “Chef’s Pick” oysters all day long. Paired with From the Earth Brewing beer specials, this will be one celebration you don’t want to miss.
Don’t wait too long to jump in on the fun, though. With oysters this good, they’ll sell out pretty quickly! Get here early to enjoy good beer, great oysters and even better company.
Hugo’s is located at 12040 Etris Rd #150, Roswell, GA 30075.
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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Bring the family for some food and fun to Taste of Soul Atlanta. The three-day event is slated for Friday, August 31 to Sept. 2, 2018.
The citywide free festival that takes place in Vine City, one of Atlanta’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. The food will take place across from the Mercedes Benz Stadium at 10 Northside Drive Northwest Atlanta, GA 30314.
This family festival celebrates Soul and Southern foods, hosts live music, art, games, and Atlanta’s best people watching.
Taste of Soul Atlanta: Schedule of Events
- BrunchTOSA: Sept 2nd 11:30 – 3pm
- VinoTOSA: Aug 31st 6:30pm – 10:30pm
- ArtTOSA: Aug 31st 6:30pm – 10:30pm
There’s nothing like down home food vendors, beer, cocktails, live musicians, games, new tech displays and family fun!
Attendees are encouraged to ride MARTA for transportation. It is a 2-minute walk from Vine City Marta Station (West line) or a 15 min walk from Ashby Marta Station.
Bike Valet is available at the festival, thanks to the Atlanta Bike Coalition, ride your bike and enjoy the event.
Parking is available around the festival but you will have to walk. For drivers, please carpool and park only in clearly marked areas, being respectful to our Vine City neighbors.
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A student from Atlanta’s Morehouse College is one of eight recipients of the Homecoming Scholars Award from Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The scholarship program is part of the singer’s BeyGood initiative for the 2018-2019 academic year.
The Homecoming Scholars Award Program is the second scholarship merit program from Beyoncé and BeyGood. The Formation Scholars Award Program was announced in the spring of 2017 and was open to female students across a variety of studies.
The Homecoming Scholars Award Program, announced after Beyoncé’s Coachella performance, named four universities and extended the program to all qualifying students at the universities, regardless of gender.
All qualifying applicants submitted a 1,000-word essay about one African or African-American thought leader in their field who has inspired them to achieve their goals (educational, professional, and/or community-driven). The essay included how they plan to contribute to history through their own life’s work. All finalists and the eight recipients were selected by committees from the colleges and universities.
The Homecoming Scholars for 2018-2019 are:
ALLANA J. BAREFIELD
Xavier UniversityERIN EVANS
Wilberforce UniversityCALEB WASHINGTON
Tuskegee UniversityDEMETRIUS WEAVER
Bethune-Cookman UniversityJORDAN DAVIS
Texas Southern UniversityDARTISHA MOSLEY
Fisk UniversityCLETUS EMOKPAE
Grambling State UniversityKAMERON WILLIS
Morehouse CollegeABOUT BeyGOOD
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Atlanta area artists are invited out Wed, July 25, 2018 from 6 to 10 PM EDT to show their skills. The Drink and Doodle Volume 52 event will be held in the ABV Agency and Gallery located at 659 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312.
At the event, 12 artists will create new work that goes up for silent auction throughout the night, pieces will go to the highest bidder at the end of the night.
Here’s the rundown on what to expect:
-12 Atlanta based Artists gather at 1 long table inside the gallery and create work live.
-Work is framed and goes up for sale via a silent auction.
-The sold artwork is taken by collectors at the end of the event.
-Complimentary Music, Beverages, and Good Vibes are Provided by ABV Gallery.
-Free and open to the Public!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.