EVENT: American Craft Council Show March 9-11

It’s the show to plan around! With more than 225 of the top contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor artists from across the country, this is pure craft at its finest and the largest juried, indoor craft show in the southeast.

SHOW DATES AND HOURS

Friday, March 9, 10 am - 8 pm

Saturday, March 10, 10 am - 6 pm

Sunday, March 11, 10 am - 5 pm

PREVIEW PARTY

Thursday, March 8, from 6 - 9 pm

Proceeds jointly benefit the American Craft Council and the Hambidge Center. 

Preview Party tickets: $75

LOCATION

Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA

OUR SPECIALTY CATEGORIES

HANDMADE UNDER $100: The perfect category for budding craft lovers 

GREENCRAFT: Great pieces by artists who incorporate recycled materials and use eco-friendly processes in their work

LOCAL: Highlighting work by a maker living and working near you

MEN’S DEPT: Cool, handmade stuff for guys

BRIDE-TO-BE: Built to last one-of-a-kind wedding jewelry and gifts

FOODIEWARE: Fabulous utilitarian objects designed to flatter your fare

BLUE CHIP CLUB: Handmade Under $100, I don’t think so! Stunning pieces valued at $10k+

EATS: Atlanta Restaurant Weeks

OK...I'm a little late with the "Buckhead" notice, but you still have time!!!!!


Buckhead Restaurant Week is already going on and runs through Sunday. More than 30 participating restaurants offer a fixed-price, three-course menu for $25 or $35 per person. Drinks, tax and tip are extra. Participating restaurants include 10 Degrees South, Aja, Anis Bistro, Aria, Atlanta Fish Market, Bistro Niko, BrickTop’s, Buckhead Bottle Bar, Buckhead Diner, Café at the Mansion on Peachtree, the Café at The Ritz-Carlton, Cantina, The Capital Grille, Coast, Dantanna’s, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Flip Burger Boutique, Georgia Grille, Imperial Fez, Kyma, La Fourchette, Latitude, Market Buckhead, Mosaic, Nava, Ocean Prime, Paces 88, The Palm, Portofino, Pricci, Prime, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Season’s 52, Shula’s 347 Grill, Southern Art, Tantra, Tavern 99 and Ted’s Montana Grill.


Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week is planned for July 21-29, followed by Midtown Restaurant Week, Sept. 1-9. Those feature similar deals, but organizers are still finalizing lists of participating restaurants. For full details about all three restaurant weeks, see www.atlantarestaurantweeks.com <http://www.atlantarestaurantweeks.com> .


*****Inman Park Restaurant Week, meanwhile, is planned for March 26 through April 1 with $15, $25 or $35 menus. Participating restaurants include The Albert, Fritti and North Highland Pub ($15 menus); il Localino, One Eared Stag, Parish Food and Goods, Park's Edge, Pure Taqueria, Rathbun's, Sauced, Sotto Sotto and Wisteria ($25 menu) and Kevin Rathbun Steak ($35 menu). For full details, see www.inmanparkrestaurantweek.com <http://www.inmanparkrestaurantweek.com> .

Article link: http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-restaurants-food/restaurant-weeks-offer-discount-1365679.html

FESTIVALS: 2012 Atlanta Festival Schedule (Courtesy of KeithKnows)

Per KeithKNOWS: 

2012 Atlanta Festivals

7th Annual Women of Color Arts & Film Festival (March 15-18)  

KNOW More:  www.http://www.wocaf.org/wocaf-festival-2012/

2nd Friday Art Stroll@ Castleberry Hill   

KNOW More: www.castleberryartstroll.com

Atlanta Film Festival   (March 23-April 1) 

KNOW More: www.atlantafilmfestival.com

Inman Park Spring Festival   

KNOW More: www.inmanparkfestival.org    (April 27-29  Inman Park Neighborhood)

Alive Expo

Know More: www.aliveexpo.com   (April 28, 29)  Georgia World Congress Center

Salsa Festival Atlanta 

KNOW More: www.salsafestivalatlanta.com     (April 1 @ Atlantic Station)

Festival on Ponce 

Know More:    http://www.festivalonponce.com/    April 14 & 15    (Festival on Ponce)

Dogwood Festival  

Know More: www.dogwood.org   (Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park)  April 20-22

Wednesday Wind Down @ Centennial Park 

Know More: www.CentennialPark.com   (April-September)   (Centennial Park)

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival   (May 10-13)  

KNOW More: http://atlfoodandwinefestival.com/

Sweet Auburn Fest 

Know More: May 11-13  & Fall 2012(October)  

www.sweetauburn.com   (Auburn Avenue neighborhood)

Atlanta Downtown Festival (May)  

KNOW More: www.atlantadowntown.com

Atlanta Jazz Festival  

KNOW More:  www.atlantafestivals.com  

(May26-28—Memorial Day Weekend)   35th Anniversary Atlanta Jazz Festival (Piedmont Park)

National Black Arts Festival  (July)  

KNOW More: www.NBAF.org

12th Annual Peachtree Latino Festival (August) (Piedmont Park)   

KNOW More: www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com

Kiss 104.1 Flash Back Festival (August)   Aaron’s Lakewood Amphitheatre   

KNOW More: http://kiss104fm.com

Peachtree Village International Film Festival   (August 16-19) 

KNOW More: http://pviff.squarespace.com/

21st Annual  For Sisters Only  (September)  

Georgia World Congress Center  KNOW More: www.V-103.org

Atlanta Arts Festival (Piedmont Park)  Sept 15 & 16   

KNOW More: http://www.atlantaartsfestival.com/

Midtown Arts Festival   (September)   

KNOW More: http://www.midtownfestivalofthearts.org/

Music Midtown  (September)   (Piedmont Park)  

KNOW More: http://www.musicmidtown.com

11th Annual Taste of Atlanta  (October )  

KNOW More: www.Tasteofatlanta.com

BronzeLens Film Festival  (Nov 8-11)  

KNOW More: www.bronzelens.com

11th Annual International Black Man Film Festival  (November)   

KNOW More: http://www.blackmanfilmfest.net/

Neighborhood Festivals (subject to change):

Virginia Highlands/SummerFEST      June 2 & June 3    

KNOW More: http://www.vahi.org/summerfest.html  

Wheelbarrow Festival in Reynoldstown  (September)   

KNOW More: http://www.wheelbarrowfestival.com/

East Atlanta Strut  (September)  

KNOW More: http://eastatlantastrut.com/

Visit KeithKNOWS at: http://keithknows.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

ART: First Glance Film, Visual Arts & Spoken Word Competition Call For Artists

Are you or someone you know an amazing teen filmmaker, visual or spoken word artist ready to take the next steps?  If so, enter the First Glance Film, Visual Arts and Spoken Word Competition today! NBAF invites the International community of young artists to create original work around the theme “Connect, Inspire, Transform”.  Winners are eligible for up to $1000 in prizes, master classes with professional artists, access to professional mentoring and an opportunity for your work to be featured at the National Black Arts Festival. This program is sponsored by Turner Broadcasting through the Turner Voices Initiative.  The deadline to enter is April 15, 2012. Visit the First Glance page a www.nbaf.org for more information. Deadline: April 15, 2012

ART: Question Bridge: Black Males - Jan. 27-March 10, 2012

Question Bridge: Black Males

Gallery at Chastain

135 W. Wieuca Road, NW

Atlanta, GA 30342

Internationally acclaimed artists Hank Willis Thomas, Chris Johnson, and Bayate Ross Smith present Question Bridge: Black Males, a transmedia art project that seeks to represent and redefine black male identity in America.  Through video meditated question and answer exchange, diverse members of these demographic groups bridge economic, political, geographic, and generational divisions.  This exhibition will be represented with video and photography by artists including Hank Willis Thomas, Chris Johnson, Bayate Ross Smith, and Kambui Olujimi.  Question Bridge is presented by City Gallery at Chastain.   This series of questions asked by black males of varying ages opens the trailer for Question Bridge: Black Males, a "transmedia art project that seeks to represent and redefine Black male identity in America." Directed by artists Chris Johnson and Hank Willis Thomas, in collaboration with Bayeté Ross Smith and Atlanta-based artist and producer Kamal Sinclair, Question Bridge was filmed across America, including Oakland, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Birmingham, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Philadelphia, over the last four years. Beginning Jan. 27, the Chastain Arts Center will host a video installation to exhibit the work.

EVENT: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival - March 3, 2012

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival Atlanta, GA

Mar 3, 2012 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Saturday

Atlantic Station

1380 Atlantic Drive

Atlanta, GA 30363

Join us at the festival for a great day of beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', cigar smokin', and barbeque eatin'. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and LIVE music all day. We have over 60 beers and 40 bourbons for your sampling pleasure! 

EVENT: Art of Wine & Dine - Loca Luna - Starting Jan. 11, 2012

Loca Luna Restaurant

836 Juniper Street Suite B

Atlanta, GA 30308

$15.99 Bottomless Wine (per person).

Live Music.

 Featured art pieces and wine from around the world.

This event repeats weekly on Wednesdays until May 29, 2013

link: Art of Wine & Dine

MUSIC: Anthony David at Loews Hotel - Jan. 19, 2012

Anthony David

WCLK Conversations & Cocktails 

 w/WCLK 91.9FM Rene Miller

January 19, 2012

at

Loews Atlanta Hotel
1065 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Link: http://www.purposerecords.com/2012/01/anthony-david-atlwclk/

4evermore - Anthony David

DANCE: Alvin Ailey Feb. 16-19, 2012

Alvin Ailey Dance Company

Link: http://www.alvinailey.org/atlanta

HOLIDAY EVENT: Holiday Gardens Lights (I'm in!) - until Jan. 7, 2012

Holiday Garden Lights

at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Experience a dazzling extravaganza featuring nearly 1 million lights crafted into displays inspired by nature. Highlights include a galaxy of stars in the woodlands; whimsical bees, butterflies, and other lighted pollinators in the Edible Garden; and 200 show-stopping, color-changing topiary forms choreographed to holiday music on the Great Lawn.

This intown experience features elegant, traditional elements such as wrapped trees and cones up to 30-feet-tall. Staying true to the Garden’s history of blockbuster art exhibitions, the show design emphasizes stunning, innovative, and artistic light installations as well as fun, whimsical elements.

In addition, the Garden is decked in holiday favorites such as an 18-foot poinsettia tree, holiday displays of unusual plant material (tillandsias, bromeliads, alternathera), and, of course, hundreds of poinsettias!

“It’s going to be a joyful, exhilarating outdoor experience – and so much more fun than being smooshed up against your relatives peering out car windows,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s executive director.


For more info: http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/

VIDEO: Life is a Dance

When I saw this, I knew I had to share it. True dance is the merging of mind, body, spirit, and this video is a beautiful visual of such expression. Enjoy! (Now, where are my dancing shoes?)

Ian Eastwood - So Beautiful (Musiq Soulchild)

FUNDRAISER: THE "ASK" - NBAF

2011 Fall Membership Campaign

Outstanding programming! 

I'm donating. Are you?

www.nbaf.org

Do it today!

EVENT/EATS: MMXI Gridiron Gourmets - Nov. 20th

www.gourmetsgents.com

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter, launched "Gourmet Gents" in 1989 as the organization's first annual fundraising effort. More than 200 Atlanta gentlemen responded to the Coalition's call to volunteer their time, their culinary skills and their own food provisions to raise money for the Coalition's service project.

Today, the event has been hailed by many as Atlanta's premier "gents cook-off." More than 500 people attended the inaugural event, and the following year, 150 chefs served more than 700 guests who attended the event to enjoy the festivities, cuisine and entertainment. Since then, Gourmet Gents has grown more popular in its appeal to the community, attracting over 3,500attendees eager to sample the uniquely inspired entrees of more than 300 chefs and several of Atlanta's premier restaurants.

Gourmet Gents features fabulous culinary delights, expertly prepared by celebrity chefs and those who boast of being super "gourmet chefs." Donned in chef hats and aprons, each Gent is stationed at individual tables to display their culinary masterpieces and offer tasty samples amidst a backdrop made festive with music, entertainment and the excitement of the affair.

MUSIC: 40th Anniversary of Marvin Gaye's WHAT'S GOING ON? (Tribute Concert) - Dec. 10

www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu

RIP: Hip Hop Artist/Reggae Singer/Actor Heavy D

Many of you may not know this, but I am a HUGE, longtime fan of Heavy D. His music always brought a smile to  my face, heart, and dancing feet. No other Hip Hop artist, in the past or now, dedicated his art to talking about "romancing" (not sleeping with or identifying body parts of) women, loving oneself, and embracing humanity like he did.  I am still in shock at his departure. I, of course, had to show him some love on my blog.

You will be missed, Heavy, but your artistic contribution to world will live on.  May you RIP.

We Got Our Own Thang - Heavy D & The Boyz

BET Hip Hop Awards 2011 - Heavy D

Black Coffee - Heavy D & The Boyz

FESTIVAL: BronzeLens Film Festival Nov. 10-13

The BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia is a non-profit organization, founded in 2009, that is dedicated to bringing national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color.

In fact, the mission of the BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia is two fold: to promote Atlanta as the new film mecca for people of color; and to showcase films and provide networking opportunities that will develop the next generation of filmmakers.

From November 10 through 13, 2011, film lovers, actors, and film makers will gather in culture-and-heritage-rich Atlanta, Georgia, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis to share a creative platform of education, entertainment and empowerment discussions related to film, as well as television, and the production of both. The BronzeLens Film Festival will feature screenings in multiple venues, as well as informative panels, and enlightening Master Classes led by top names in film, direction, and production.

Link: http://bronzelensfilmfestival.com/index.html

FESTIVAL: Chomp & Stomp Chili Cookoff & Festival in Cabbagetown Nov. 5, 2011

Chomp & Stomp Chili Cook-Off and Bluegrass Festival

                                                                   SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011 

 CHILI WILL BE SERVED AT 12:30

8 am: Romp and Stomp 5k begins· 9 am: Early bird gets the beer. We will make sure to tap some kegs for those thirsty 5k runners.· 

9:15-10:30 am: Load in for our chili cooks, vendors and artists. Avoid the streets of Cabbagetown, Dekalb Avenue, and Krog tunnel! Just sit in the park and watch the fun. It is sure to entertain. OR, you can volunteer to help out and be part of the action!· 

11 am The Festival officially begins with music, food vendors, artist market, and beer.· 

12:30 Chili tasting begins … be there or be hungry. This is a slight deviation from last year. Trying to give folks a bit more time to get there before the chili is all gone! 

6 pm The Festival ends! You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here... we recommend you head on to one of the great Chomp after-parties nearby!

MUSIC: Anthony Hamilton at Center Stage - Dec. 1

Rival Concerts Presents:

ANTHoNY HAMILTON

Dec. 1, 2011

Doors 7pm/Show 8pm

Center Stage Atlanta

Link: Concert Details

Jill Scott f. Anthony Hamilton's SO IN LOVE

MUSIC: International Soul with Les Nubians & Avery Sunshine Nov 17th

An evening of International Soul with Les Nubians & Avery Sunshine

 Presented by Alliance Francaise @ Hot Ice Live

Thurs. Nov. 17th @  595 North  

Link: http://595thursdaybestnov17.eventbrite.com/

Performing some of their top hits and new music from their highly-anticipated 3rd album Nü Revolution (Shanachie Entertainment), Les Nubians capture crowds with an energized mix of R& B, hip-hop, African music and other world elements performed in English and French.  Long-time fans still buzz from past NationalBlack Arts festival performances and Princesses Nubiennes favorites like Tabou, Makeda and Demain (Jazz).

Les Nubians's AFRODANCE

Atlanta-based Avery Sunshine continues to set U.S. urban commercial radio, club DJs and European audiophiles on fire with music and remixes from her self-titled Avery*Sunshine album. The consummate performer/singer/song writer is wooing live and radio audiences with her infectious blend of R&B/Soul, Dance Music, Jazz, Christian & Gospel, Rock

Avery Sunshine's ALL IN MY HEAD

FESTIVAL: Dekalb Int'l Food & Music Festival Nov. 12

The inaugural DeKalb International Food and Music Festival will present multi-cultural cuisine and entertainment from across the world on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 2 to 8 p.m.

Guests are invited from across the Southeast to join us for this incredible blending of cultures and cuisine at the GM Doraville Assembly Plant Parking Lot in Doraville, Georgia, one of the most diverse cities in Metro Atlanta.

The Festival includes six hours of cultural, educational and entertaining activities that everyone will enjoy.

Link: DeKalb Int'l Food & Music Festival - Nov. 12