• Without Joseline Hernandez, “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” ratings tank

    1 Min Read

    Say what you want about the “Puerto Rican Princess,” but she knows how to draw a crowd. The season, “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” went live without the reality TV star and the ratings have been brutal.

    According to the AJC’s Rodney Ho, “LHHA” ratings have sank 25% without Joseline Hernandez. After the birth of her child last year, Hernandez left VH1 over creative differences and bad blood on the set.

    She now lives in Miami. I guess she’ll bounce back with a Florida-themed show.

    The show’s overnight ratings averaged 2.06 million viewers, down from 2.74 million a year ago, according to Ho.

    Do you miss the Puerto Rican Princess?

     

     

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  • Book A Holiday Party At Ray’s Restaurants And Get A $100 Dining Card

    1 Min Read

    Ray’s Restaurants is already has the giving spirit even though it’s summertime. The restaurant with three metro Atlanta locations (Ray’s on the River, Ray’s in the City, Ray’s at Killer Creek) is offering a $100 dining card to those who book a December party at its locations before Sept. 30, 2018.

    To qualify, parties must spend at least $1,500 in food and drinks for the events. The dining cards will be mailed to recipients in January 2019 once the event invoices have been paid in full.

    Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: TJohnson@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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  • It’s Daiquiri Week At Marietta’s Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar

    1 Min Read

    Even though Fat Tuesday was many moons ago, we’ve still got the alcoholic masterpiece known as the frozen daiquiri on your minds.

    To put us back in the mood, Marietta seafood restaurant Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar is celebrating the official drink of New Orleans by serving the classic variety as well as two specially crafted versions as well.

    The Cuatro daiquiri combines Bacardi 4 year with lime and house syrup, while the Thai daiquiri features Santa Teresa 1796, pineapple, lime and sesame. The Papa Doble blends Bacardi 8, grapefruit, lime and Luxardo for another refreshing twist.

    Head to Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and try them all by Sunday, July 22.

    Read more: Casi Cielo opens in Sandy Springs

    Read more: Basque in the sun at Buckhead’s Gypsy Kitchen

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  • New Restaurant Casi Cielo Opening In Sandy Springs

    2 Min Read

    A new restaurant is coming to Sandy Springs in the Modera mixed-use development. Casi Cielo: a chef-driven, upscale-casual dining eatery is set to open its doors in August.

    Casi Cielo comes to us from the same people who brought metro Atlanta the venerable La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant. This time, the purveyors, La Cosecha Group, will serve locales tasty dishes featuring artisanal Oaxacan cuisine.

    Casi Cielo restaurant coming to Sandy Springs

    The 135-seat restaurant will include a patio and full bar with over 50 types of Mezcals – the largest collection in Atlanta. Not only will patrons have premium cocktails at their call, but they will also have a generous selection of wines from Spanish-speaking countries including Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, Mexico and Chile, just a cork pop away.

    The eatery will also feature water infused daily with fruits and herbs via a SonicPrep Ultrasonic Homogenizer machine, from which low-heat sound waves create a smooth infusion of flavors and aromas.

    Casi Cielo will also serve as the U.S. debut of Executive Chef Juan Ruiz, who earned his kitchen stripes from the maternal side of his family  in his native Bogota, Colombia. His culinary expertise includes stints in the esteemed kitchens of Palacio de Congresos El Kursaal (three Michelin Stars; Barcelona, Spain), Hotel Finca Lérida (one Michelin Star; at the base of Volcán Barú in Panama), and many other elite restaurants.

    “Everything served at the restaurant is designed to stimulate the senses and entice the palate. We respect the ingredients, history and traditions of Mexican cuisine and pride ourselves in doing things the right way- no shortcuts,” Ruiz said in a written statement.

    Casi Cielo is located at 6125 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30328,  where it will serve lunch and dinner Monday – Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday / Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

    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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  • Study: Atlanta No. 2 City For Workers In Gig Economy

    Study: Atlanta No. 2 City For Workers In Gig Economy

    3 Min Read

    Atlanta is the No. 2 city in the nation when it comes to people finding work in the “gig economy,” according to a new report. All you have to do is look around you to see the many Uber, Lyft and Grubhub drivers on the streets and we see the freelance market is alive and well in the ATL.

    The report from FitSmallBusiness.com looked at 20 cities in the United States and pulled info from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Brookings Institute to determine the best cities for gig economy jobs.

    THESE ARE THE TOP 15 CITIES FOR GIG ECONOMY JOBS:

    1)    San Francisco

    2)    Atlanta

    3)    Los Angeles

    4)    Boston

    5)    Washington D.C.

    6)    Dallas

    7)    San Jose

    8)    San Diego

    9)    Miami

    10) Phoenix

    11) Minneapolis

    12) Nashville

    13) Denver 

    14) Chicago

    15) Portland

    FitSmallBusiness.com chose the following metrics to rank the cities:

    Per Capita Revenue – 33%

    Average Rent Costs – 33%

    Growth of the Gig Economy – 33%

    Qualitative Considerations (high-speed internet and shared workspace) – tie-breaker for similarly scored cities

    “Certain cities have the magic ingredients to make it easier to be successful as a freelancer,” says Eric Noe, Editor-in-Chief, FitSmallBusiness.com.  “Affordable rent, low overall cost of living and helpful resources for non-traditional workers all factor in, and our research clearly suggests that gig economies are strongest in metro areas where there’s a bigger demand for task services.”

    It must be said that many workers aren’t joining the gig economy as a substitute for full-time employment. No, statistics show that workers are taking on temporary or freelance positions to earn extra money.

    Indeed, earning extra income online has become one of the biggest things in the job market over the past 10 years.

    Employers are become more open to gig workers because they help keep costs down: Typically contract workers don’t require insurance, a certainly not a 401(k) and other benefits.

    Still, if you’re serious about working in the gig economy, there are some things you’re going to need:

    • A car
    • A computer
    • A smartphone

    Without all three, which incidentally are what you need for a full-time on-site job, your chances of working decrease exponentially.

    But there are things you can do to sweeten your position in the job market. In the meantime, look for side jobs that work for you.

    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:  Best work from home jobs in Atlanta, Georgia

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  • Casting Call: 8Ball and MJG Biopic Casting In Atlanta

    3 Min Read

    The Memphis rap duo 8 Ball and MJG are having a movie made about them and it’s going to be produced in Atlanta. The 1990s rap group largely put the Midsouth on the map with their first LP in 1993 “Comin’ Out Hard.”

    Producers in ATL are looking to cast people for speaking roles to shoot in August 2018 for several parts, including a young MJG.

    Here is the casting call breakdown:

    8 Ball and MJG film: Paid speaking and featured roles

    Location: Atlanta Ga (must work as local hire)

    Dates: 8/17/18-8/19/18 (subject to change)

    [8 BALL]18 to 24 years old, Black/African American male. (to play 16yr old & 20yr old). Heavyset with Dark skin tone. Confident, southern, street smart and hood. Wants nothing more but to leave his small town and be a rapper.

    [MJG]18 to 24 years old, Black/African American male. (to play 16yr old & 20yr old). Tall and thin with Dark skin tone. Laid back, southern, street smart and hood. Mild mannered but ready to hit the stage at any time.

    [YOUNG B] 12 to 14 years old, Black/African American male. (to play 13yr old) Heavyset & dark skin. Outgoing and foul mouthed middle schooler. (must be comfortable with adult language)

    [YOUNG M] 12 to 14 years old, Black/African American male. (to play 13yr old) Tall, thin & dark skin. Cool and confident middle schooler. (must be comfortable with adult language)

    [JUDY] 18 to 24 years old, Black/African American female (to play 16-18). Thin/average built with cocoa skin tone. 8 Ball’s high school girlfriend.

    [TD] 18 to 24, Black/African American male. (to play 17-20yr old). Stylish young music mogul from Houston. Dark skin with waves in hair. No non sense mover and shaker.

    [MOOKIE] 20 to 30, Black/African American male. Young drug dealer that gets high on his own supply. Neighborhood bully.

    [CED] 18 to 24, Mixed/African American male. Next hottest rap star to hit the scene in the late 80’s early 90’s. LL Cool J type. Light skin pretty boy looks.

    To be considered send:

    1. Name

    2. Age

    3. Height/Weight

    4. Phone Number

    Or…

    6. Resume & Headshot

    7. Reel

    Send all of the above info to:

    COHCasting@gmail.com

    Subject: Role you are submitting for

    Serious inquiries only!!

     Here is info on the project for your records:                                          

    Project: UNTITLED PITCH PROJECT FOR 8 BALL & MJG BIOPIC

    Type: Pitch Project / Non Union

    Location:  Atlanta GA

    NEW Shoot Dates: 8/17/18-8/19/18 (subject to change)

    Director: Kimberly L. Jones

    EP: Dewayne “Duprano” Martin

    Writers: January Curry / Toni Brooks

    Story by: Dewayne “Duprano” Martin / 8 Ball / MJG

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  • Beltline Photo Exhibit Shows Atlanta’s Rich History

    2 Min Read

    As Atlanta continues to forge a way into the future, the only way it can succeed is to learn from its past. That notion is front and center for Beltline visitors in a new exhibit that shows photos of the area’s history on select trails.

    Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is hosting the photo exhibition “Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement, 1944-1968,” curated by historian and author Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D.

    An opening ceremony was held on July 7 on the Westside Trail across from Gordon White Park.

    The photography is sourced from Dr. Sims-Alvarado’s book Images of America: Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement, 1944-1968 (Arcadia Publishing, 2017).

    “The photographs tell a beautiful narrative of the struggle, fortitude, and organizational strength of a people determined to eradicate Jim Crow segregation once and for all,” Sims-Alvarado said in a press release.

    “Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement, 1944-1968” will be presented across four miles of the Eastside and Westside Trails, making it the longest outdoor exhibition on civil and human rights in the United States.

    “Honoring the nation’s civil rights leadership right here on the Atlanta BeltLine is so fitting considering that many of the movement’s leaders lived in BeltLine neighborhoods,” said Brian P. McGowan, President and CEO of the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “We are committed to using our public art program to celebrate and highlight the history and unique culture of our neighborhoods – it is this culture that makes Atlanta great.”

    Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado is the CEO of Preserve Black Atlanta, a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to identifying, recording, and preserving African-American history and culture.

    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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  • Casting Call: ‘Poms’ Starring Diane Keaton Hiring Child Actors In Atlanta

    1 Min Read

    Casting directors in the Atlanta area are looking to hire actors to work on scenes for a new movie starring Diane Keaton on July 20 in Duluth, Georgia.

    The movie, “Poms,” is about  a comedy about a group of women who form a cheerleading squad at their retirement community, according to Deadline. Jacki Weaver will also star in the film.

    Atlanta-area children are encouraged to apply for the scenes, which will take place in family settings.

    Atlanta casting details for ‘POMS’

    Casting families with children ages 7-14 to portray families at an event. Families must include children in this age-range. Looking for moms, aunts, grandmas, and a few dads and grandpas.

    Date: July 20
    Rate: $75/8 per person in the family
    Location: DULUTH, GA

    HOW TO SUBMIT:
    To be considered, please submit each family member’s name, age, height & weight, along with a phone number & email. Also please submit a photo of each family member to submissions@catrettcasting.com
    Subject: 7/20 FAMILY

    **Please include your child’s GA Dept of Labor number if already registered with the state.

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  • The Inaugural ATL FitX Games Kick Off In Atlanta

    3 Min Read

    A new contest crowning Atlanta’s fittest crew is set to take place this weekend. The inaugural ATL Fitx Games takes place Saturday, July 14 at Fourth Ward Park in Midtown Atlanta.

    Athletes will compete head to head in a number of strength, agility and endurance competitions.

    The ATL FITX Games is the competitive fitness field day!Compete head to head against our city’s fittest athletes for a chance to win incredible prizes and of course, take home the glory.
    The FITX Games are a combination of strength, agility and endurance challenges. Teams must be a minimum of eight members and register by July 13th.
    So, rally the squad and get ready to test what you’re made of in front of your fiercest competitors. Only one team will leave the field victorious. Will it be yours?START YOUR TEAMStart recruiting your co-ed team! Each team will consist of 8+ participants. There is no required gender ratio, but Co-Ed teams are strongly encouraged. NEED A TEAM?Join as a free agent! Meet us at our weekly meetups for a chance to create your team!SWEAT WITH ATL at STACK
    Event details and schedule
    Day of Check In:
    Team Captains need to visit the registration check-in tent on the corner of Angiers & North Ave to pick up the teams playing schedule, rosters, and participant wristbands. Check-in will begin at 7:00am, and all teams must be checked in by 7:30am
    Parking:
    There extremely limited street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods near the park. We highly encourage carpooling. Better yet, take a Lyft or an Uber!
    Food & Beverage:
    * There is no outside alcohol permitted at the event. *
    Water is sponsored by Essentia! Bring a water bottle to refill at the Player’s Lounge. Food will be available to purchase from food trucks, and the bar opens at 11:30am. Vendors will accept both cash and credit card payments.
    THE GAMES:
    This year’s event will feature competitive fitness twists on classic Field Day games. Be prepared to test your cardio, agility and strength using gym equipment. This is a SAFE workout that will challenge your endurance in relay races. Train your body for a HIIT and strength workout that utilizes every muscle group to push your team ahead.Examples: Tug of War, sled pushes, medicine ball throws, lunges, crab walks, burpees, yoga
    For workout previews follow along @atlfitfam, @atlantassc, @smallandstrong.fit, and @activvely!Each game station will have a copy of the rules and Game Official to explain those rules, participation requirements, and to take your score. Scores can be viewed at: www.fielddaysocres.com
    What to Wear:
    It’s Atlanta in July, so it’s going to be hot out! Sunscreen, Sneakers (no cleats allowed), Shorts & T-shirts/Tanks are recommended. Also, please be prepared to get a little wet. Team costumes are strongly encouraged! Don’t forget we are awarding prizes for Team Spirit/Best Costumes.

    Prizes and awards:
    ATL FITX Games Champion: Take home the title as Atlanta’s #1 gym for training champions! You’ll be awarded a trophy to place in your gym!
    The winning team will be pushed around in a chariot by the second place team!
    Team Spirit: The team that is the most spirited with the best costumes will receive the Team Spirit award! This award will be given to the team voted most spirited by the event volunteers and staff. Prizes include complimentary registration to and Atlanta Sport and Social Club league, sponsored swag bags, and other prizesATL FITX GAMES Brought to you by Sweat With ATL, Atlanta Sport and Social Club and Gusto.
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  • MARTA Hosting 12 Musical Performances Around Atlanta

    1 Min Read

    MARTA is in the business of moving people, but who knew it would be musically? The Atlanta transit agency has commissioned 12 musical performances scheduled this week at 10 different rail stations.

    The performances are part of Artbound Live, MARTA’s musical outreach.

    The mini-concerts will take place Monday through Friday, from 3 to 6 pm. See the schedule below.

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