Swing dancing in Atlanta
With excitement and a little fear of the unknown, I walked through the wooden doors to my first experience to Hot Jam. Since it was listed on a swing website, I knew what type of dancing it would be at least. However, I wasn’t sure how the other dancers would be. Since I’ve been dancing most of my life, I’ve had a range of experiences from sitting on the sidelines because no one asked anyone but their friends to dance to having fun and laughing the whole time. My experience fell into the second category. Everyone was friendly and understanding about my beginner feet. Another plus was I could find someone to dance with most of the time. The music was mix of styles and speeds. It was an enjoyable experience and I look forward to my next time. For more information about swing dancing in Atlanta, GA and Hot Jam in particular, go to http://www.aseda.org/.
Charley’s
With some extra time to kill, I looked around to place to satisfy my growling stomach. Since I had some time to spare, I went to Charley’s in Roswell. I had seen it several times on the way to work. I was greeted pleasantly and show to a table right away. The menu offered many choices from a simple burger to a seafood pasta. Even before the bread hit my table I saw the steam rising from the basket. The bread was hot and yummy. The main course arrived shortly after. I had ordered baked cheese ravioli. Underneath the bubbling cheese top was a wonderful mix of mushrooms, cheese and pasta. It was so much I had to take half home. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was pleasant. I enjoyed my experience and would recommend it to anyone. For more information visit their website at http://charleysroswell.com/.
Fantastic Fourth Celebration at Stone Mountain
The wind lifted the hot air and made it a pleasant day. Since it was the Thursday before the 4th of July, my husband and I decided to visit the Laser show at Stone Mountain. While the laser show included fireworks, there was also a fireworks show after the laser show. The show started at 9:30 p.m. and we got there around 8:00 p.m. The parking lot was full and we ended up parking in the grass. Also, the lawn was full by the time we got there. Next time we go we plan to give ourselves more time.
The Laser show was fun and had all ages of the audience entertained. I liked the part sponsored by Chick-Fil-A with cows as the characters of famous movies like Star Wars. Of course, the schools like Georgia Tech and individuals in American history were represented. The music accompanying the pictures ranged from patriotic to country.
I love fireworks so that was the best part for me. All kinds were represented from ones which go bang to the ones which spread out in long fingers of lights. The ones which change colors are my favorite.
It was a pleasant evening and I would recommend it to anyone. For more information, visit http://www.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=37
Atlanta Fish Market Restaurant
Located in Buckhead, the Atlanta Fish Market has been a stable for years. The restaurant can be easily found by looking for the big fish soaring in the sky. My husband told me there was concern about the size when it was first built and had to have guide wires to keep it from falling. It seems the problems were fixed and the copper fish stood proudly on its own two fins as we walked passed. Once we got to the table, we decided we wanted to try everything. So, I got the boiled seafood platter and he got the fried seafood platter. Everything was wonderful but the best was to come. After dinner, we both got dessert and split the slices of chocolate perfection. I would highly recommend this restaurant. It is a bit of a tourist trap but the prices are not bad and the food is good. For more information, visit http://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/afm.html.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The crowd murmured in excitement as the night began. Some members were dressed in pearls and tuxedos but others choose a more casual look and wore their favorite pair of jeans. The most excited members were the teenagers who wear their best and fidgeted with their ties. As the lights dimmed, a hush spread through the audience and all eyes turned to the stage. As the music filled the air, the talent of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra shined through.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra was established in 1945 as a youth ensemble. Now in its 62nd year, the ASO has received 15 Grammy Awards. Also, the fingers of the ASO reach beyond the walls of the Woodruff Arts Center and the Atlanta symphony Center to seek talent and encourage its growth through scholarships and education. The Youth Atlanta symphony Orchestra is one example of providing a means for future musicians to gain practical experience. Besides concerts, members of the orchestra also present programs in schools, libraries and other facilities.
The newest project is the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park which opened on May 10, 2008. The amphitheatre is located minutes from 400 and North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Georgia. In addition to classical concerts, community events and movie nights are scheduled for the 2008 season. Some events include Beethoven’s Best with Dejan Lazic and of course, a 4th of July concert.
For more information, visit http://www.atlantasymphony.org/ or call the box office at 404-733-5000.
Recreating history
Whack, whack, ka-bang….whack, whack, ka-bang… Instead of the sounds of birds chirping, the field was filled with the sounds of combat. Whack, whack, ka-bang carried over the green grass as the tournament began. With swords held high and shields raised the fighters eyed each other across the field. Insults and jesting were flung as the combatants circled around each other, each seeking an advantage towards a crippling shot or at least a damaging blow. In some cases, the dance would continue several rounds with an exchange of blows and a movement of approaching and retreating shared between the fighters. However, other fights were done in a couple of minutes with a single shot or a flash of moves melting together in a whirlwind of movement till the swords stopped as one fighter was still and another victorious. As the sun spread its fingers of sunshine into long lines down the field, the spectators watched as the list of victors became shorter. Then the last two fighters faced each other and the tournament ended.
However, another one was on the schedule and after a drink of water and a short rest, the fighters gathered their weapons and prepared to fight once again. This time it was to the death with praised given to the more dramatic exits. Fighters and watcher alike decided the fate of the fallen with mercy given for some and a slash of the throat to others as the competition continued. Taunts, jests and cries for blood were shouted by the crowd of fighters watching as blows were exchanged. At last, the fighting ended and it was time for helmets to be taken off , swords to be laid down, and shoes to be unbuckled. With sore muscles and good- natured shouts of cheating, the field was returned once again to the quiet ending of the day. The birds at last could chirp without interruption or being drowned out by the sound of swords whacking each other.
F. D. Roosevelt State Park
Near Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs, this park has been a favorite for many years. The park was named after President Roosevelt who visit the springs nearby to treat his polio. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps were responsible for several of the structures found within the park. The main highlight is the Pine Mountain Trail which allows hikers to enjoy both hardwoods and pines. Picnic areas are available for a day’s outing. In addition to trails and overlooks, the park also has areas for camping and cabins. The cabins are the standard wooden type without air- conditioning but are maintained fairly well. The drawbacks are the lack of hot water heaters in some of the bath houses and the roughness of some of the “roads”.
Athens Pizza House
One of the favorite stops in Atlanta is Athens Pizza House on Clairmont Road. The restaurant was started by John and Asiemoula Papadopoulos in 1977. The restaurant is still owned by the Papadopoulos family and usually one of the sons will greet customers as we walk through the door. The décor includes pictures of the owners and their family creating a friendly atmosphere. The food is wonderful and the menu has many items. In addition to the usual Greek items such as gyros, and pizza, there are specially items such as spinach pie and stuffed Greek leaves. Like the rest of their menu, the desserts are delicious. In addition to baklava, they have Greek specialties such as Galaktoboureko, phyllo dough filled with Greek style custard. The service is wonderful even when a group of 30 walk in an hour before they close. The restaurant has an area for a large party or booths for an evening out for two. Highly recommend.
72nd Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Every year one of the highlights of living in the Atlanta area is the Dogwood festival. However, when the city announced Piedmont Park, the traditional site, could not be used due to drought conditions, many questioned if the festival would take place. One comment I heard from the festival store was the lack of posters for the year was due to this uncertainty. Luckily, the festival found a new location and was held in the parking lot of Lenox Mall.
It was a pleasant day with a slight breeze. The rain had lifted and rays of sunshine were streaming through the clouds. So it was time to go outside and enjoy a rainless day. I choose to follow an Atlanta tradition and with thousands of people, attend the Dogwood Festival. The festival turned 72 this year and in previous years had over 220 artists. There were bended metal designs, brilliant glass sculptures, interesting wooden bowls and beautiful textiles in a rainbow of colors. One of my favorites was flowers made of layers of clear and colored glass. While I had seen many of the artists before, some of the artists were new. One of the new booths was representatives from the Renaissance Festival. In the midst of jeans and tee- shirts, players in leather and medieval costumes roamed and gave coupons for the fair. The food ranged from gyro to a new item, deep- fried candy bars. As the crowd enjoyed their funnel cakes and hot dogs, they could listen to the live music or watch the canine competition. So after some munching and looking, it was time to go home. Another year of seeing something new through the camera and hands of another.
Atlanta History Center
“Each age tries to form its own conception of the past. Each age writes the history of the past anew with reference to the conditions uppermost in its own time.” Frederick Jackson Turner
It was a mild day in Atlanta with trees swaying in the wind and little chance of rain. My mom had come for a visit from tumbleweed Texas and we were deciding what to do. Since downtown was still a mess from a tornado, we decided to go to the Atlanta History Center. While I expected a building full of interesting objects, I was surprised by the amount of objects in the museum. According to their website, “the Museum Collections contain approximately 40,000 catalogued items grouped in several thematic areas”. I choose to visit two permanent exhibits; Metropolitan Frontiers which traces the history of Atlanta from Native American life to present day and Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South. In both cases, I was able to experience a range of senses. There were quilts to touch, folk songs to hear, buildings to walk through and objects to see. One of my favorite objects was a stained glass window with white bunnies running through a green field from the Kimball House Hotel. In many cases an object was surrounded by pictures of it being used and/or explanation how it would have been used. I also enjoyed the personal stories in videos, spoken narratives and printed materials throughout the museums.
We also visited the Swan House and the Tullie Smith Farm which is housed on the same grounds as the main building. The Swan House was designed for the Inman family by Philip Trammel Shutze. Within and around the house, Italian and English classical styles were used while 20th-century conveniences such as telephones were carefully hidden. Personal stories from the Inman family made the house seem more like a home than a museum. The farm was interesting look into the past when entertainment were stories passed from a visitor to the family and cooking was done in a separate building for fear of fire.
Too soon it was time to go but I enjoy my time spent there. I would recommend the center to anyone to learn about Atlanta, Georgia or simply history. For more information visit their website at www.atlantahistorycenter.com.
