Sunday, August 22, 2010

Center Partners with GSU and Atlantic Station for Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive

The Center for Puppetry Arts is teaming up with their neighbors in Atlantic Station and the Georgia State University College of Education Alumni Club to sponsor a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive! In conjunction with the drive, the Center will host a very special evening with actor David Newell on Friday, September 10 from 8-9:00 p.m. as he takes a look back at his career as Speedy Delivery man Mr. McFeely on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. In his special presentation, Mr. McFeely Remembers: A Tribute to Fred Rogers, Newell will share images, video clips (including bloopers!), and personal memories of working with the show’s host and lead puppeteer Fred Rogers for over thirty years. At the end of the evening, fans will have a chance to take a picture with Newell, in character as Mr. McFeely.

During the Sweater Drive, members of the community are asked to donate new or gently worn children’s sweaters to benefit the Children’s Restoration Network, which supports homeless children in shelters and group homes. Mr. Rogers’-inspired sweater collection boxes will be located at the Georgia State University College of Education building from August 5 through September 10th and at the Center for Puppetry Arts from September 10 through the end of the month. Sweater donations can also be made at the Atlantic Station Artist’s Market on September 11 and 18 between 11am and 3pm; those who donate a sweater at this location will not only be helping out a child in need, they’ll also receive discount coupons from Atlantic Station retailers as well as a coupon to come see a show at the Center!

“This is such a fitting tribute to Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” said Park Cofield, Audience Development Manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts. “Given Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood’s close tie with puppetry, we are so pleased to be a part of this initiative and to be working with our neighbors in Atlantic Station and the Georgia State University College of Education Alumni Club. It’s a wonderful opportunity to embrace our community and give back to the children in our area who are in need.”

Fred Rogers may have described the neighborly spirit associated with the sweater drive best: “All of us, at some time or other, need help,” Rogers said, “and whether we’re giving or receiving a sweater, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors – in our own way everyone is a giver and a receiver.”

ABOUT MR. ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD:

There’s a warm, home-spun quality about Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, not just in Fred Rogers’ welcoming manner, but in the closet full of sweaters on the cozy living room set, a fashion statement that has come to mean, “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Each of Fred Rogers’ legendary sweaters was knitted by his mother, Nancy McFeely Rogers, who would knit a dozen sweaters each year and give them to family and close friends at Christmas time. Fred Rogers decided to put on a sweater and change into sneakers as a way to set the tone for a comfortable visit and help children settle in for his half-hour program. One of his sweaters is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood continues to broadcast on PBS stations around the country, now holding the title of the longest running program on PBS. Beloved by children, parents, and educators, Fred Rogers’ unique approach to using television has been revolutionary in the industry. The pace of the neighborhood series, which gives viewers time to reflect and comprehend, is more important for today’s children than ever. As TV Guide stated, “TV is all about coveting, but Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was about appreciating what you already have, about caring for others, and about seeing the best in them.”

Family Communications, Inc., the Pittsburgh, PA-based non-profit corporation, was founded in 1971 by Fred Rogers. The company continues to carry on his legacy through developing a wide range of materials for young children, their families, and the professionals who support them. Learn more about Family Communications at www.fci.org and www.pbs.org/rogers.

TICKETING:

Tickets for David Newell’s workshop, Mr. McFeely Remembers: A Tribute to Fred Rogers, are $5.00 for Center Members and $10.00 for Non-Members. ORDER TICKETS ONLINE AT WWW.PUPPET.ORG OR CALL THE TICKET SALES OFFICE AT: 404-873-3391.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is supported in part by: Fulton County Arts Council, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Council for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, WSB-TV Family 2 Family Project • Mr. McFeely Remembers: A Tribute to Fred Rogers is supported by the Georgia Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. • For a complete list of the Center’s major supporters, please visit www.puppet.org. The Center for Puppetry Arts® is a unique cultural treasure – a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened, and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops, and the hands-on Museum as well as Distance Learning and Outreach programs. Center for Puppetry Arts is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is supported in part by contributions from corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. Major funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. Major support is provided by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs. These programs are supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is a participant in the New Generations Program, funded by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre. The Center is a Member of TCG and the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts. The Center also serves as headquarters of UNIMA-USA, the American branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette, the international puppetry organization.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

12th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens®

End Summer on a High Note with Hot Air Balloons; National and International Kneeboard Championships; Music and More

Are you lamenting the end of another summer? Worry not…at Callaway Gardens®, things are looking up …way up …with the return of the Callaway Gardens® Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival for its twelfth year.

Set for September 3-5, 2010, this annual Balloon Festival has something for everyone, from the soaring, majestic, colorful balloons to Callaway Gardens’ unique mix of natural beauty, to its endless helpings of multi-generational activities and events. When it comes to family fun at Callaway Gardens, the sky is the limit!

Festivities kick off Friday night when guests flock to Robin Lake Beach for the Balloon Glow. Upbeat live music sets the mood as balloons inflate. While the sun sets, the balloons’ individual colors glow against the gorgeous evening sky. Guests shout “ready, set…glow” while the tunes of a classic brass band play in the background.

On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, it is up, up and away as the balloons head for the open skies (weather permitting) at sunrise and sunset. On the ground, the action continues as Robin Lake Beach plays host to a family festival featuring activities and events for all ages. Choose from tethered balloon rides (weather permitting, fee), a rock climbing wall (fee), bungee jump (fee), sandcastle building, swimming, miniature golf, kite building, t-shirt tie-dyeing (fee) and more.

Don’t miss the very popular Classic Car Show on Saturday. In 2010, more than 100 cars are expected to roll through the gates and add even more color to the already spectacular event.

NEW this year, Robin Lake will host the 26th Nautique Kneeboard Nationals and the 5th International Kneeboard Riders Cup throughout the weekend. Also new this year will the opportunity to walk inside a balloon envelope. Saturday’ admission includes a Saturday night concert by country music artist Kevin Sport, on Robin Lake Beach from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to be followed by a Movie on the Beach at dusk. After three weeks of voting, the public has chosen the recently released movie Marmaduke via a Facebook/callawaygardens poll.

Meanwhile, the athletically-inclined can enjoy their own adventures thanks to the Callaway Gardens Fitness Series, including a 5K run and the Triathlon on Sunday morning. This year represents the 30th anniversary of the Triathlon at Callaway Gardens. It is the oldest triathlon in the South and one of the longest continuous running triathlons in the continental United States. To register, visit www.active.com.

Want to be a part of the high flying balloon action? Sign up to be on a Balloon Chase Crew. Crew members are assigned to assist pilots throughout the weekend with setting up balloons, chasing them when they are in the air and then bringing them back to Callaway after landing. For more information, contact Greg Brannen at 706-663-5043 or gbrannen@callawaygardens.com.

Festival admission is $25 per adult (ages 13-64); $20 per senior (65+); $12.50 per child (ages 6-12); and free for children five and younger (admission prices include tax). This price includes access to Callaway Gardens’ and its many attractions and activities. As an incentive to witness the morning launches, admission at the U.S. Hwy. 27 Beach gate will be half-price from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Stay around and enjoy the entire weekend with friends and family on the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Weekend Package. Starting at $159**, this offer includes accommodations in the Mountain Creek Inn; admission to the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival; four tickets to make tie-dye T-shirts at the Festival on Saturday or Sunday; breakfast in the Plant Room, Country Kitchen or Piedmont Dining Room; admission to Callaway Gardens and its many attractions; use of the Mountain Creek Inn Fitness Center.

Don’t delay. Call now for reservations at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or make reservations online at www.callawaygardens.com.

Callaway Gardens®, is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus.

*Ballooning is dependent on safe weather conditions including wind velocity and direction.

**Rate is per night, based on double occupancy and availability in the Mountain Creek Inn. Some restrictions apply. Rates also are available for the Southern Pine Cottages, Mountain Creek Villas and Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens.

About Callaway Gardens

For almost 60 years Callaway Gardens has provided “a place of relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world” for millions of visitors. Owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, Callaway Gardens includes a garden, resort, preserve and residential community on 13,000 acres in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Highlights include a butterfly conservatory, horticultural center, discovery center, chapel, inland beach, nature trails and special events throughout the year.

In addition, Callaway Gardens offers nearly 100,000 square feet of meeting space, 923 guest rooms, restaurants, a full-service spa, shops, golf, tennis, fishing and more.

Five unique, close-knit residential communities with custom home sites, lakefront properties and cottages on the golf course –offer an ideal home away from home or full-time residence.

Callaway Gardens is home to a 4,610-acre forest preserve, which is under conservation easement. This conserved, sustainably-managed land is used for biological studies and environmental education programs.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Night of Adventure with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on the Big Screen for Flicks @ ‘The Fred’ August 27

August 19, 2010 Bring the family out for a free movie and popcorn under the stars as we show Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen Friday, August 27 at The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, sponsored by Dolce Hotels and Resorts. This event was rescheduled from the original date due to inclement weather.

Come enjoy the film that first brought Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr. to the big screen. Winner of four Academy Awards and ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest films of all times, Raiders of the Lost Ark features Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in his search to find the Ark of the Covenant. The adventure-film is rated PG, and runs 115 minutes. Gates will open at 8 pm, with show time at 9 pm or dark. There will be games, contests, prizes and free popcorn provided by Dolce Hotels and Resorts so make sure you come early! This is a free event, and no tickets are needed. For further details about Flicks @ the Fred, call the box office at 770-631-0630 or online at www.amphitheater.org.

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater is a 2,500 seat state-of-the art facility owned and operated by the city of Peachtree City. “The Fred” box office is located at 201 McIntosh Trail, and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For further information regarding the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater or the concert events, please call 770-631-0630 or visit the website at www.amphitheater.org.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Joel McHale at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Sat Oct 9

Joel McHale is the star of NBC comedy series, Community, where he plays a lawyer forced to go back to community college after his undergraduate degree is declared invalid. While there, he forms a study group with other misfit students including Chevy Chase.

Joel also stars opposite Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh’s comedic thriller, The Informant, playing an FBI agent working with agri-business insider Mark Whitacre (Damon) to stop a price-fixing scam.

Many know Joel from E!’s “The Soup,” a weekly entertainment show which satirizes pop culture and current events. Joel’s quick wit and sharp comedic timing have made “The Soup” a pop culture phenomenon, and Joel has been touring the country to sold out audiences with his stand-up act.

Born in Rome and raised in Seattle, Washington, Joel was a history major at the University of Washington where he also was a member of their championship football team. In addition, Joel received his Master’s of Fine Arts from UW’s Actor’s Training Program. After moving to LA, McHale landed roles on “Will & Grace”, “CSI: Miami” and “Pushing Daisies.” He also jumped onto the big screen with roles in Spider-man 2 and Lords of Dogtown.

Joel McHale will be at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, October 9th at 7:00pm.

Tickets for Reserved Seating are $64.75 and $45.75.

Tickets are on sale this Friday, August 20th at 10am at LiveNation.com, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Box Office, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For more information visit www.joelmchaleonline.com.

Produced by Live Nation.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Zoo Atlanta to Host City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days

Proudly supported by Walmart and The National PTA Urban Family Engagement Initiative

Zoo Atlanta will host City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days on Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15, 2010. Proudly supported by Walmart and The National PTA Urban Family Engagement Initiative, the weekend offers free admission to guests who can demonstrate residence in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County or employment in either the City of Atlanta or Fulton County Government.

“Our organization is committed to our community and to ensuring that everyone in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County has an opportunity to benefit from our animals, mission and programs,” said Raymond King, Zoo Atlanta President and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to our partners at Walmart and The National PTA Urban Family Engagement Initiative for demonstrating their shared support for our belief that every family should be able to enjoy the Zoo, particularly in these difficult economic times.”

Free admission will be valid for two adults and up to four children per family. As an additional benefit, The National PTA Urban Family Engagement Initiative will distribute 500 free backpacks stocked with school supplies on Saturday, August 14. Backpacks will be distributed while supplies last and will be available on Saturday only. “The families of Atlanta have always played an integral role in PTA’s growth and development,” said Charles J. “Chuck” Saylors, National PTA President. “It is the home of one of our great past leaders and founder, Selena Sloan Butler, who paved the way for equality in education and parent involvement. Giving back to the families of this city forwards the passion that Selena brought to PTA and promotes our efforts to be a voice for all children.”

“We’re excited to join forces with Zoo Atlanta to give back to the communities we serve by offering the City of Atlanta and Fulton County residents a chance to save money and make memories,” said Karen Brewer-Edwards, Wal-Mart’s regional general manager for North Georgia. “Our partnership with Zoo Atlanta is a testament of our ongoing commitment to provide families with opportunities to live better.”

Recognized forms of identification for free admission during City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days are as follows:

City of Atlanta or Fulton County residents: Georgia Driver’s License; State of Georgia-issued voter identification; or water, gas or light utility bill demonstrating residence in the City of Atlanta or Fulton County.

City of Atlanta or Fulton County Government Employees: City of Atlanta employee identification card or Fulton County Government employee identification card.

City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days hosted by Zoo Atlanta in previous years were extremely well-attended; guests should expect unusually high volume on both of these days. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and to consider MARTA travel, as parking will be limited. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.
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Monday, August 9, 2010

Coming to Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center: Garrison Keillor, Dave Koz, Vienna Boys Choir!

An Evening with Garrison Keillor
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - 8 pm
$35.50 & $62.00 plus fees
ON SALE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 at 10 AM

True to his radio form, humorist celebrity speaker Garrison Keillor shares hilarious anecdotes about growing up in the American Midwest, the people of Lake Wobegon, and “late-life fatherhood.” With a wonderful, dry sense of humor, he captivates audiences and delivers with class, charisma, and wisdom.

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Dave Koz & Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010 - 8 pm
$26.00, $36.00, $55.00, $76.00 plus fees
ON SALE FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 at 10 am

Dave Koz & Friends 2010 Smooth Jazz Christmas tour will be extra-special as South African singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, keyboardist Brian Culbertson and Dutch saxophone star Candy Dulfer join the multi-GRAMMY® nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire in celebrating the joys of the season. This will be Dulfer’s first tour with Koz, while favorites Butler and Culbertson are back by popular demand. The tour has become a cherished tradition for fans and 2010 marks its 13th anniversary. The foursome will perform hits from their respective catalogues and join together on a variety of holiday standards for a high-energy, soul-inspiring show the whole family will love. Koz, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has released three classic holiday albums –December Makes Me Feel This Way, A Smooth Jazz Christmas By Dave Koz & Friends, and Memories of a Winter’s Night.

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Vienna Boys Choir - Christmas in Vienna
Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 7 pm
$28.00 & $34.00 plus fees
ON SALE FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 at 10 am

No group of child musicians has won more renown than the incomparable Wiener Sängerknaben, founded by Emperor Maximilian I in 1498. Six centuries later, the famed Vienna Boys Choir continue to delight music-lovers across the globe with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and a diverse, crowd pleasing repertoire that encompasses Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, beloved pop songs, holiday favorites and medieval chant. Gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty, they carry on the Vienna Boys Choir’s illustrious tradition as the world’s preeminent boy choir. The Vienna Boys Choir presents timeless music with a universal popular appeal. With its broad repertoire, a Vienna Boys Choir performance is never just a concert for classical aficionados or subscription regulars; it’s a musical event that will draw in music lovers from all walks of life.

www.cobbenergycentre.com and www.cobbgalleria.com

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Night of Adventure with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on the Big Screen for Flicks @ ‘The Fred’ August 14

Bring the family out for a free movie and popcorn under the stars as we show Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen Saturday, August 14 at The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, sponsored by Dolce Hotels and Resorts. Come enjoy the film that first brought Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr. to the big screen.

Winner of four Academy Awards and ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest films of all times, Raiders of the Lost Ark features Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in his search to find the Ark of the Covenant. The adventure-film is rated PG, and runs 115 minutes. Gates will open at 8 pm, with show time at 9 pm or dark. There will be games, contests, prizes and free popcorn provided by Dolce Hotels and Resorts so make sure you come early!

This is a free event, and no tickets are needed. For further details about Flicks @ the Fred, call the box office at 770-631-0630 or online at www.amphitheater.org. The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater is a 2,500 seat state-of-the art facility owned and operated by the city of Peachtree City. “The Fred” box office is located at 201 McIntosh Trail, and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For further information regarding the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater or the concert events, please call 770-631-0630 or visit the website at www.amphitheater.org.
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