• Childish Gambino To Kick Off North American Tour In Atlanta

    1 Min Read

    Rapper/actor/singer/producer Donald Glover announced Monday that his music alias Childish Gambino is going on tour nationally — and the first stop is Atlanta.

    Pre-sale tickets went on sale Tuesday and the general sale begins Friday.

    Glover, who was reared in nearby Stone Mountain, has been immersed in film and TV project the past two years, putting music on the back burner. But  now it looks like music is coming back to the forefront.

    Childish Gambino’s album “Awaken, My Love” exploded onto the scene in 2016 and snatched souls along the way. Hits such as “Redbone” and “Baby Boy” caught on in the  national consciousness, especially when the former was featured prominently in Oscar-awarded “Get Out.”

    Here is the list of cities for Childish Gambino’s 2018 North American tour, which will feature special guest Rae Sremmurd.

    Sept. 6 — Atlanta

    Sept 8 — Chicago

    Sept. 10 — Toronto

    Sept. 12 — Boston

    Sept. 14 — New York

    Sept. 18 — Philly

    Sept. 19 — Washington, D.C.

    Sept. 22 — Houston

    Sept. 23 — Dallas

    Sept. 26 — Los Angeles

    Sept. 27 — Oakland

    Sept. 29 — Seattle

    Sept. 30 — Vancouver

    Here’s how to get tickets.

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Art Papers Triumphantly Concludes Another Auction Party In Atlanta

    Art Papers Triumphantly Concludes Another Auction Party In Atlanta

    5 Min Read

    After months of strenuous planning, Victoria Camblin strode around the Art Papers Auction & Party on this unusually balmy winter night recounting the awesome talents represented in this year’s show.

    “Art Papers is cool because historically we haven’t been super-formal and it’s never been just about the recognized artists,” she says. “It’s also always been about artists just off the radar. Maybe because they’re not in New York or maybe somehow underrepresented or coming from a different educational background or no educational background at all.”

    Art Papers Auction returns to Atlanta

    In her fourth year as editor of the famous magazine and artistic director of the venerable organization, Camblin was game this night to serve as both host and herald. Soft music played in the background as guests looking to bid on some of the boldest and abstract art pieces you could imagine mingled with one another while enjoying hors d’oeuvres.

    Atlanta’s art scene is alive and well, thank you, in large part to the years of service publications like Art Papers have done to promote it. Camblin says part of that has to do with the liberties the artists themselves have engendered.

    “I think art is an interesting area in which to talk about important stuff in freer ways,” she says. “For instance, if you’re a scientist or politician or something, I feel that the constraints around those conversations you can have are a lot more strict, whereas an artist can go in there and talk about language, identity, geographies. They can talk about color and all these other things, and the potential for dialog and the potential for experimentation is just much bigger, but you can still be talking about very important issues.”
    This year’s event marked the group’s 19th auction and party. Held on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, the event attracted some of Atlanta’s best-dressed movers and shakers to a huge entertainment space adjacent to the old Macy’s building on Peachtree Street downtown.
    “Some of the artists on the wall at Art Papers right now are talking about affordable housing, gerrymandering and other things,” she says, emphasizing the concept of art as a lens for the real world.

    Camblin, who studied in New York before moving to Berlin and being captivated by the art scene there, says that even in her early years she was interested in visual art, but only as a professional has she fostered a love for the contemporary variety.

    The 2018 Art Papers Party & Auction
    Patrons at the Art Papers Auction & Party on Feb. 24, 2018. Photo credit: CJ Johnson. Top photo: Camblin, artistic director of Art Papers at the event’s annual auction and party on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. In the background is a piece by Jaymerson Payton. Photo Credit: T. Waters.

     

     “In college, I studied philosophy and ended up double majoring in art history,” she adds.
    She credits Berlin’s avant garde cultural scene with exposing her to the wonders and possibility of contemporary art. “The art scene there was just exploding,” she says.
    Camblin says that Atlanta’s hip-hop scene and the energy around it reminds her of how Berlin’s art scene was. “It was just like that,” she says.
     Art Papers were founded in 1976 by artists in the Atlanta Art Workers Coalition, a nonprofit organization that formed to promote the local art scene and support its artists.
    As word grew, the group eventually produced a newsletter, the first one being a single-paged hand-typed flyer.
    The publication started off covering local artists, but quickly went regional, finally evolving into an international magazine. Today, the group, which has just a handful of employees, is a critical voice with immeasurable global prestige in contemporary arts circles.
    Camblin said the key to the organization’s longevity has been its ability to remain astute at keeping its pulse on Atlanta and other parts of Georgia, at the same time covering arts happenings across the country and the world.
    She says that she’s been encouraged by the support Art Papers has garnered through the years.
    “I think its very cool,” she says. “The community that has formed around the Art Papers is really impressive because they’ve really rallied around the organization for decades and there have been times — about once every 10 years — when things were really hard for arts organizations locally and people have just rolled up their sleeves and kept it afloat.”
    “That was one of the main reasons why I was attracted to Art Papers, actually, because people really seemed to care.”
    It’s also true that Camblin herself cares deeply about the arts. She says she’s vested in finding new and emerging artists in Atlanta and the surrounding region.
    “I personally go into a lot of young artists’ studios or, for instance, I’ll go into classrooms or programs, like at Georgia State [University], I’m in that art department a lot,” she says. “We’ve done some class visits at Agnes Scott, I did a workshop at Spelman and we did a little dossier about art that’s in the college’s collections. Also, our interns keep me plugged into the art scene,” she says.
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  • Marriott Marquis Begins Renovation On Sear Restaurant In Downtown Atlanta

    Sear Restaurant Reopens In Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis

    3 Min Read

    The Marriott Marquis’ in-house restaurant Sear reopened in late December 2018 after undergoing major renovations. Now with a spruced up menu, Sear is ready to draw back the curtains.

    Sear is basically a new Atlanta restaurant now, with a freshly reimagined decor, color scheme and more for restaurant lovers in downtown Atlanta.

    First Look: Sear Restaurant completes renovation

    “We’re thrilled with the results of the renovation,” said General Manager Erica Qualls-Battey. “The attention to detail and uniqueness of the space will truly change the landscape of Downtown’s dining scene. We’ve created a destination within a destination, where diners can get a delicious meal and be conveniently located in the heart of Atlanta.”

    The team behind the redo is Interior designer, HeCho Inc., which was enlisted to create a majestic dining atmosphere inspired by the style of legendary Atlanta Marriott Marquis architect John Portman.

    The Marriott hopes that a well-needed face-lift, including an interior redesign and menu refresh, will increase restaurant patrons and continue to be a dining option in downtown Atlanta.

    Sear Restaurant In Marriott Marquis Gets Face-lift

    “Sear has been a stronghold in the Atlanta community for quite some time,” Qualls-Battey said in a written statement. “We feel this renovation parallels the resurgence of the culinary scene in Midtown, Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods as the city of Atlanta continues to position itself as a cutting edge culinary destination. Our talented culinarians deserve a look that matches their talent.”

    The refurbished eatery features an open floor plan, a private waiting area

    with nearby bar and local-centric iconography. Local artist Lynx Nguyen was commissioned to craft artwork for the restaurant’s back wall, creating a rustic yet modern look.

    What’s on the menu at Sear Restaurant in Atlanta?

    Guests can enjoy unique offerings such as breakfast, a brunch buffet, lunch and an exquisite dinner menu.

    Dishes such as Butter Basted Cauliflower Steak, Braised Pork Chops, Dry-aged Steak and Seared Scallops, Sear will carry over 25 bourbons, hand-crafted cocktails and a variety of wines.

    See Sear’s full menu here.

    Private dining rooms were also re-designed with space options for 25 to 85 or 100 guests.

    Marriott Marquis Begins Renovation On Sear Restaurant In Downtown Atlanta

    “I am really excited about the energy the chefs have put into the new menu,” hotel manager George Reed was quoted as saying. “And the new selection of craft cocktails will enhance our lounge-like offerings; further solidifying Atlanta Marriott Marquis as a great gathering place.”

    A further perk at Sear: Diners who come for the restaurant get complimentary parking.

     Read more: Atlanta OKs controversial redevelopment project The Gulch

    These Atlanta restaurants are for sale

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  • Child Actors Sought For ‘Superfly’ Remake In Atlanta

    3 Min Read

    The Blaxploitation classic “Superfly” has begun production in Atlanta and is looking for some key parts on the big screen. Producers this week need child actors for filming on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

    The movie is based on the 1972 crime drama directed by celebrity photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks and featured Ron O’Neal in the title role.

    Sony has bumped up the film’s release date to June 2018, significantly picking up the pace on production. That means things are happening quickly. Atlanta rapper Future has reportedly sign on to co-produce.

    The movie tells the story of Youngblood Priest (O’Neal), an cocaine pusher who is struggling with the duality of trying to get out of the drug business while supporting his lavish lifestyle by earning clean money.

    The new film will be set in the modern world with several famous faces in key roles. , Director X will helm the director’s chair for the remake with Trevor Jackson confirmed to star as Youngblood Priest, according to Deadline.

    “Straight Outta Compton” star Jason Mitchell will play the buddy role as Eddie, “along with Lex Scott Davis as Georgia, Andrea Londo as Cynthia, Jacob Ming-Trent (Showtime’s White Famous) as Fat Freddy, and Omar Chapparo as Adalberto,” Deadline reports.

    This is what producers are looking for:

    Casting for a BOY and GIRL
    – Works THIS WED 1/31

    Filming in Atlanta
    Daytime filming

    PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

    Casting for BOYS and GIRLS for a small scene in a down neighborhood, to be playing the street as our lead character walks by!

    – AGES 6 to 12
    – BLACK boys and girls
    – must be well behaved kids, but playful!

    NOTE: IF you have more than one child in this age range,
    PLEASE SUBMIT THEM TOGETHER IN ONE EMAIL
    We cannot guarantee that both children will be selected, but we do try to book siblings together when possible.

    Works THIS WED 1/31
    Starting in the

    Filming in Atlanta

    Pay rate is $80 for 8 hrs with OT after that
    Minors can only work 10 hrs max.

    SUBMIT TO: projects1@TSCasting.com
    SUBJECT LINE: GOOD KID

    PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS:
    CURRENT, CLEAR, PHOTOS !!!
    (one of from shoulders up and one from the knees up)
    Look the part!!
    SEND A CURRENT PHOTO IN A CASUAL OUTFIT

    Then please List the following:
    First and Last NAME OF CHILD
    First and Last NAME OF PARENT
    PHONE NUMBER (s)
    CITY & STATE (where you will be coming from!)
    Email address
    AGE
    Height
    Weight
    SIZES:
    KIDS SIZES: pants, shirt, shoe

    NOTE: IF you have more than one child in this age range,
    PLEASE SUBMIT THEM TOGETHER IN ONE EMAIL
    We cannot guarantee that both children will be selected, but we do try to book siblings together when possible.

    You MUST be LOCAL to the GREATER ATLANTA, GEORGIA AREA (or willing to work as a local hire)

    MORE: ‘Superfly’ remake needs doubles, stand-ins

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  • Now Open On The Westside: The Local Pizzaiolo

    1 Min Read

    Atlanta’s newest pizza place, The Local Pizzaiolo, opened its doors Tuesday, January 23 on the West side. “It’s officially official! Our doors are open! Head on over and let us have a 🍕your ❤!” the eatery said on Facebook.

    The restaurant offered free pizza to those who donated $2 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank & No Kid Hungry!  The owner, Giulio Adriani, plans three more locations in the Atlanta area, including one in  Reynoldstown, Toco Hills and Sandy Springs.

    Patrons are already lauding the establishment’s authentic Italian pizza. On Facebook, one commenter said this: “Best pizza in town! Incredible dough from Italy… with unique and fresh toppings… all created by 4-time international pizza competition winner Giulio Adriani from Naples, Italy. This takes Atlanta pizza to a whole new level. And they have gelato, wine, beer and espresso… I think that covers all the important food groups! Can’t wait to go back!”

    Another said, “Great new pizza spot. Very authentic Italian pizza with fresh ingredients. Gelato flavors were very creative. Glad to have his new option close to home and work.

    The Local Pizzaiolo (Westside – 1000 Marietta St)

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  • Atlanta Makes Shortlist Of Amazon H2Q Cities

    2 Min Read

    And then there were 20. That’s the number of cities that have made the shortlist to be the site of Amazon’s second world headquarters. Atlanta joins cities such as Austin, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Toronto and Washington, D.C., the company said Thursday.

    As we reported earlier, Amazon, the world’s No. 1 online retailer, is poised to move to the next phase of its hunt for the best HQ2 city: Tax incentives.

    “Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough – all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity,” Holly Sullivan, an executive with Amazon Public Policy, said in a statement. “Through this process we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation.”

    Texas is said to be offering some tax incentives on par with Georgia’s $1 billion on the table. The stakes are high: Amazon said it will invest up to $5 billion in the local economy and create 50,000 jobs for the city it chooses.

    The Inc. quoted Jeremy Bodenhamer, who runs a $13 million shipping and logistics firm,: “We believe they will select Atlanta,”he was quoted as saying. He cited the area’s deep well of tech talent as well as the region’s reputation as harboring people with top logistical knowledge (UPS as well as Lockheed is based here) a top reason.

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  • 20+ best new Atlanta restaurants to try in 2019, City Tap Kitchen & Craft Set To Open In Midtown Atlanta on Feb. 3, 2019

    City Tap Kitchen & Craft Set To Open In Midtown On Feb. 3

    2 Min Read

    If you’re looking for a new place to down some brews and spirits, City Tap Kitchen & Craft is set to open in Midtown on Sunday, Feb. 3 2019, AtlantaFi has learned.

    The much-anticipated gastropub located in Midtown at 848 Peachtreet St NE will host a Super 53 watch party in collaboration with NFL Hall of Fame Players, and NFL Hall of Fame Players and NFL Legends will be there to mix, mingle and talk football with guests throughout the game.

    Read more: 53 Atlanta events happening for Super Bowl 53

    City Tap will open in the former space of Gordon Biersch, which closed in 2017. The address is 848 Peachtree St. NE.

    City Tap brewery coming to Midtown Atlanta

    City Tap is a national brand that sprang up in Philadelphia in 2010. Today City Tap has breweries in Philadelphia’s University City and Logan Square, Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter and Dupont developments, Boston’s Fort Point and Nashville’s Sobro location.

    In addition to the new Atlanta location, a City Tap Kitchen & Craft is also slated for Chicago’s Fulton district in 2019.

    “To properly represent the evolution of craft beer, we use our taps to show just how diverse craft beer can be, highlighting strong local brews, celebrating the success of long-standing regional partners, and enjoying centuries-old European traditions as well,”  Andy Farrell, brand director at City Tap, said in a press release. “It’s fun to see the story of craft unfold across a dynamic beer list.”

    Gettles to serve as executive chef at City Tap

    City Tap Kitchen & Craft Set To Open In Midtown

    Executive Chef Greg Gettles will helm City Tap, overseeing a food menu full of tempting dishes, like  Elote “Street Corn” Dip with jalapeño, chili powder, cotija, cilantro, and chips; Ten-Spice Wings with blue cheese ranch and crisp vegetables; Corn and Crab Hushpuppies with citrus remoulade and honey-thyme butter.

    City Tap’s formula for success lies in its wide, open bar, a huge selection of taps, a readable draft list and an unintimidating cuisine that appeals to local tastes.

    When it comes to its brew list, City Tap says this: “Every beer is categorized by style and given a detailed flavor description so you know exactly what you’re drinking. We also provide you with the beer’s brewery of origin and proper pour size.”

    Read more: The essential bars in Little 5 Points

    Food & drink specials: How to eat for cheap in Atlanta EVERY DAY

    5 metro Atlanta places to ride horses 

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  • East Lake's best new restaurant, Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters

    Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters Brings Sunday Brunch To The Masses

    2 Min Read

    East Lake’s best new restaurant, Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters, has launched a brunch menu as of Sunday, May 26. Heavily influenced by the Southern cuisine found in Southern Louisiana, Mary Hoopa will bring to the ATL such Cajun delights as classic Beignets, a variety of oysters,“Nashville” Hot Fried Oysters with b&b pickles and white bread.

    Other faves you’ll want to try include th ePork Belly Hash with potato, calabrese chile and collard greens and Buttermilk Pancakes with bacon jam and topped with a fried egg.

    Now Serving In East Atlanta: Mary Hoopa’s Brunch Menu

    In the mood for a drink? You’ll love the boozy punch offered along with traditional Bloody Marys and Mimosas.

    Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters is the latest concept from Chef Robert Phalen, who helmed the kitchen at Atlanta’s One Eared Stag.  The eatery’s namesake, Mary Hoopa, was the beloved family friend and caretaker of Phalen’s mother-in-law and known for her yard-to-table recipes.

    Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 until 3:00 p.m. Mary Hoopa’s is located at 2371 Hosea L. Williams Dr. Building 1, Atlanta, GA, 30317

    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.

    Read more: Here are Atlanta’s best brunch spots

    One of ATL’s best-kept secrets: M Bar has an R&B Brunch every Sunday

    Here are some of the best new restaurants in Atlanta for 2019

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  • Atlanta-Filmed ‘The Quad’ Returns To BET On Jan. 23 2018

    1 Min Read
    BET’s “The Quad” returns to TV this winter.

    Set right here in Atlanta, “The Quad” is BET’s breakout TV series, which debuted last year. The show stars Anika Noni Rose, known for her role in several films as well as the voice behind Disney’s first black princess in “The Princess and the Frog”.

    The cast also includes veteran actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jasmine Guy, Jazz Raycole, Peyton Alex Smith and more. Rose stars as Dr. Eva Fletcher, the president of Georgia A&M University, a fictional historically black college.

    The show will return for Season 2 on Jan. 23, 2018, the network recently announced. This season the plot takes off at Georgia A&M’s spring semester. Fletcher’s focus is keeping the struggling university solvent while external pressures make the  demise of the school a likely reality.

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  • Atlanta Music: Shaky Beats Lineup Released

    2 Min Read

    The musical lineup of the Shaky Beats Festival has been released, and it’s awesome. This year’s event is slated for May 11-13, 2018 and will feature over 50 top-notch electronicindie and hip-hop acts across four stages Shaky Beats will have you hooping and dancing the night away.

    Doors open at 3:00 PM on Friday, 2PM on Saturday and 1:30 PM on Sunday.The festival ends at 11 PM on Friday and Saturday and 10 PM on Sunday.

    Musical acts will include Ludacris, Francis Dillon, Louis the Child, Playboi Carti, San Holo, Kayzo and many more.

    The following items are PROHIBITED:

    • Aerosol containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products
    • Any and all professional audio recording equipment
    • Professional cameras and professional recording (photo, video, audio) equipment (NO large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks (selfie sticks) or other commercial equipment.
    • Any and all professional video equipment. No video recording will be allowed
    • Drones or any other remote flying device
    • Coolers of any kind. (Exceptions may be made for medical use)
    • Framed backpacks
    • Hammocks
    • Glass and metal containers of any kind

    The Shaky Beats Music Festival began in 2015 when founder Tim Sweetwood incorporated the brand Shaky Festivals LLC. It is the sister festival of the Shaky Knees Music Festival.

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