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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Like your children, every U.S. airport is different and unique in its own way. Turns out that Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has a key savings perk for travelers looking to save.
Hartsfield is one of five U.S. airports that have their lowest fares in the fall, according to a recent Groupon study.
Study shows when Hartsfield-Jackson airport has its lowest fares
The coupon site analyzed flights in every season to look for pricing patterns in airfare. What they found was that five five airports have cheapest fares in the fall. Aside from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the other four are:
- Newark
- Phoenix
- Minneapolis-St.Paul
- Fort Lauderdale
That means if you’re looking to save money on travel, try to fly out of one these airports this fall.
For summer, the Groupon study found that Chicago’s O’Hare had the cheapest fares followed byNYC’s LaGuardia airport.
For springtime, New York City’s JFK International Airport had the cheapest fares.
For winter, the study found that it’s cheaper to fly out of West Coast airports than East Coast.
Up next: Atlanta’s Hartsfield makes U.S. best airport list
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Comedian Dave Chappelle’s stand-up show “Sticks & Stones” is now streaming on Netflix. The special was filmed in Atlanta last year when he did a series of dates.
In the new special, Chappelle riffs on Atlanta as a gay city a couple of times, turning it into one of the largest bits of his hour-long show.
‘Sticks & Stones: Dave Chappelle riffs on Atlanta in Netflix special
The show is part of the $60 million deal he signed with Netflix for three comedy specials. The streaming company is owed one more.
For Chappelle fans, “Sticks & Stones” symbolizes a respite from the politically correct comedy that some of the biggest names in entertainment have slid into in recent years.
Read more: The Best Comedy Clubs In Atlanta
Chappelle goes for the PC jugular on bits about R. Kelly, Michael Jackson, Kevin Hart and even Georgia’s “heartbeat” bill, which outlaws abortion.
From the show, you can tell that Chappelle has an affinity for the ATL and that he knows it well. If you haven’t seen the show, stream it on Netflix now.
Wow ok. Dave Chappelle's impressions are spot on.
Sticks & Stones is streaming now! pic.twitter.com/zD9BBQsGdj
— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) August 26, 2019
Aside from Sticks And Stones, other comedians have used Atlanta venues to record comedy specials are do their stand-up routines. Here are the top comedy clubs in Atlanta.
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 cast for the “Coming to America” sequel is becoming star-filled as several A-Listers have been added.
“Coming 2 America,” as the film has become known, has added Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones and James Earl Jones to the cast, which will be filming in Atlanta.
Garcelle Beauvais, Nomzano Mbatha are two of the newest actors to be cast in the film. Shari Headley, who starred the prince’s love interest in the first film, is back this go around as his wife.
Coming 2 America cast is packed with stars; filming in Atlanta to begin
Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall were the catalysts behind the film, which will offer a new plot for Akeem as well as his native land Zamunda.
May be wondering who’s in “Coming 2 America” so far? These are all the stars who have joined on for Coming 2 America:
- Eddie Murphy
- Arsenio Hall
- Garcelle Beauvais
- Shari Headley
- James Earl Jones
- Kiki Layne
- Leslie Jones
- Nomzano Mbatha
- Teyana Taylor
- Michael Blackson
- Jermaine Fowler
- Louie Anderson
- Paul Bates
- Vanessa Bell Calloway
Also, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Kiki Layne is set to join the movie in a role as Prince Akeem’s daughter, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Snipes will play a new character, Gen. Izzi, a ruler of a sister nation to Zamunda, THR reports.
Jones will reportedly play the mother of Akeem’s son, who will be played by Jermaine Fowler.
And there’s more: Rapper Rick Ross revealed on Nick Cannon’s podcast that the movie is filming at his south Atlanta mansion. The estate was formerly owned by boxer Evander Holyfield.
See ‘The Holyfield Mansion’ in Atlanta
“Coming to America 2” or “Coming 2 America,” as the movie is being called, has been slated for a release date in August 2020.
The plot of the movie is said to center on Akeem coming back to America after learning that he has a long-lost son. That son would be the heir to the throne in Zamunda, the African kingdom.
When Akeem finds his son, he is barely making it in Queens. Early reports are that comedian Dave Chappelle is in talks to join the project as well.
Filming for “Coming 2 America” is set to start in late August. Check out AtlantaFi.com’s casting call page for the latest in auditions and hiring news for the entertainment industry.
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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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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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