midtown Events Archives

Lindbergh Varsity Jr To Close After 45 Years! Thanks Atlanta…NOT!

August 7, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Lindbergh Varsity Jr. Shutting down after 45 Years! OMG!

But what makes this story so sad, is it’s not economics ( in one sense….) it’s plain stupid government……

Varsity Paper Hat Varsity Vice-President John Browne called the decision to close the 45-year-old Lindbergh diner “absolutely one of the toughest we ever made.” A makeover had been planned for years, but the Varsity and the City of Atlanta clashed over how many driveways in and out of the restaurant would be allowed. Currently there’s three, but the city would approve only one for a rezoned Varsity Jr.

Mind you, I sit on the Board of Midtown Neighbors’ Associaition and we hear these Land Use Committee issues often. And in a heavily traveled pedestrian area, I completely understand wanting less “curb cuts” and minimizing the impact on pedestrians. Also it does have something to do with safety, traffic flow and the like.

But when the rules run a perfectly good business, employing hard working people, out of business, there is just something plain WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM!!!

The company posted an announcement on it’s website, and it reads like a family saying good-by to a loved one.

And just what a neighborhood wants to see….another empty business, overgrown with weeds.

I’m telling you City of Atlanta, you screwed this one up. Period. End of Paragraph!

Read the story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution

The Eagles Land In Piedmont Park October 15!

July 29, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Eagles Land in Piedmont Park October 15 for The Green Concert!

You heard it hear first. Well, maybe not first. Maybe second.

But the rumor is over, and yes, The Eagles will perform in Piedmont Park on October 15th. The concert, the third to be help by the Piedmont Park Conservancy, is to raise money to continue to maintain the park and the completion of the new 53-acre expansion.

Needless to say, these concerts cause quite a stir here in Midtown Atlanta, especially for those residents who live closest to the park, in Historic Midtown. While the concert is promoted as a “green event” and the use of public transportation (i.e. MARTA) is strongly encouraged, people from the Metro Atlanta area will brave the freeways, and then clog the surrounding streets as they look for a place to park their Suburbans and Mini Vans. (Ok, there will be Toyota’s and Honda’s too…)

I’ve never attended one of these events, just because of the sheer crowds it brings, and then you are so far from the stage that is looks like ants performing anyway. That, and will they still be able to belt out “Lying Eyes” like they did when I was in college? Maybe I’d better remember the song that way.

Tickets go on sale July 31 if you are a subscriber to the Park’s e-newsletter.

For more information about the concert and tickets, check out The Eagles Land in Piedmont Park

I looked for a picture to insert here, but with all the copy write issues these days, I don’t want someone coming after me!

gloATL Presents ROEM July 23-24 at Woodruff Arts Center – Midtown Atlanta GA

July 23, 2010 by Thom Abbott

gloATL Presents ROEM July 23-24 at Woodruff Arts Center – Midtown Atlanta GA

There is a reason that Midtown Atlanta GA is called the “heart of the arts.” With the Woodruff Arts Center, High Museum, soon to arrive Museum of Modern Design, the Fabulous Fox Theatre and a couple other small playhouses, there is always something exciting to see and do!

And tonight and tomorrow night are certainly no exception with gloATL’s presentation, ROEM. I’ll be there to check it out, and with any luck, capture a few photos!

For more information about the event, click on the picture above to read the text and information about the event!

Midtown Festival Of The Arts Is Coming to Atlanta September 25-26

July 1, 2010 by Thom Abbott

ATLANTA – JULY 1, 2010

Atlanta area residents and visitors will enjoy a new regional arts event this fall when the debut Midtown Festival of the Arts opens September 25-26.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and festival organizers today officially announced the details for the new neighborhood arts festival which will celebrate Midtown Atlanta’s diverse arts and entertainment offerings. The press conference was held at the new Loews Midtown Atlanta Hotel, a sponsor of the event.

The premiere festival will be proudly presented in and along world famous Peachtree Street between 5th and 10th Street. The road nickmaned the “Midtown Mile” will be temporarily transformed to showcase a vibrant artist market – including up to 100 visual artists – as well as stages for performing arts, literary arts offerings, and a culinary arts area featuring chef demonstrations, special tastings and retail booths from more than 25 outstanding restaurants.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the new Midtown Festival of the Arts and to observe the widspread community effort that brought this Festival to fruition,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “The two-day neighborhood event promises to be a joyous gathering that showcases the important cultural assets of our city, embraces all of our citizens, and positively represents Atlanta’s diverse cultural tapestry.”

Created by Midtown Festival of the Arts, Inc, the event also includes a family friendly kid zone, Midtown Mile Road Race, a public art display and auction, a planned beer garden and other festival attractions such as street performers, spoken word events and film presentations.

“Our goals are to showcase the best of Midtown Atlanta while celebrating the Southeast as a destination for arts, culture and entertainment,” said Leslie Johnson, President of Midtown Festival of the Arts. “The time is right to strengthen Midtown’s already vibrant neighborhood.”

The Midtown Festival of the Arts will be a free event accessible by MARTA’s Midtown and North Avenue stations. Festival hours are Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm. A festival kickoff event (yours truly is the Chairman of THIS event!) is planned for Friday, September 24, with an Art Auction featuring 30 bar stools created by Midtown artists. On the morning of Saturday, Sept 25, the Midtown Mile Road Race will take place from Colony Square to the Fox Theatre. A Saturday evening outdoor film event on Peachtree and 10th is planned with a start time of dusk.

Reed also emphasized the importance of community to create a successful event.

“As Mayor, I take pride in observing the broad based, generous and spirited support that members of our community have extended to the Midtown Festival of the Arts, and in knowing that hundreds of volunteers will make it a great success,” said Reed. “This Festival has my complete support, and I look forward to attend this new signature event in Atlanta.”

Museum of Design (MODA) Moves to Midtown Atlanta

June 21, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Museum of Design (MODA) Moves to Midtown Atlanta

Museum of Design Midtown Atlanta Midtown Atlanta has long had the name, “Heart of The Arts,” and with good reason. From the High Museum and Woodruff Arts Center, to the Fox Theatre, 14th Street Playhouse and the Laughing Skull Theatre, we’ve got some art happening in Midtown.

So, it just seems a natural fit to hear that the Museum of Design (MODA) is moving from Downtown Atlanta to a new location across the street from….The High Museum! How perfect could that be!

Now, let me be the first (well, maybe not) to say, I did not even KNOW about MODA and the Downtown Atlanta location! Now, it will be right across from another major museum, and hopefully this will bolster its image and awareness.

In an article at ArtsCriticATL.com, Brenda Galina, the MODA Executive Director said, “Having Peachtree frontage in the culture district is a dream.” The new location will be on the ground floor of the new headquarters for Perkins + Will, an architectural firm and will be located at 1315 Peachtree Street.

The Museum of Design will need to work to generate more income and grants to be there for the long term. But with a great location in Midtown Atlanta, art lovers now can get a “two for one” by having two museums across the street from each other!

Thomas Ramon Realty wishes Ms. Galina and the museum the best and we look forward to seeing the new “digs” when they open next year!

Draft on Taft in Midtown Atlanta 2010

May 11, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Draft on Taft May 22, 2010 3-10pm

You gotta love how the little things turn into great big wonderful things! And Draft on Taft would be a shining example of that. Take some neighborhoods guys back in 2000 that decide to throw a little party on their street corner, 10th and Taft, just across from Piedmont Park in Atlanta. They have lots of friends as about 300 people showed up.

It was quickly realized they were onto something and the guys figured this would be a good way to give back to their community. And so a non-profit organization, Draft on Taft, was formed with its mission to be an organization of friends dedicated to raising funds for worthy causes.

2010 proves to be no different as Draft on Taft selects Bert’s Big Adventure as it’s beneficiary of the proceeds from the event. Bert’s Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to allow children with a chronic or terminal illness ages 5 to 12 years of age that prove financial need and live in The Bert Show radio listening area, to experience a magical weekend with their families at Walt Disney World as our guests.

So. come on out and enjoy a great Saturday afternoon and evening in Midtown Atlanta at Draft on Taft! This IS a ticketed, 21+ event, so plan accordingly. Ticket prices increase from $25 to $30 at Midnight on May 11! And again to $32 at Midnight on May 19th. You can get your tickets here!

Draft on Taft map

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