East Cobb Arts & Entertainment

Ga. Symphony continues tradition with Holiday Pops concert

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Ga. Symphony continues tradition with Holiday Pops concert

Submitted information and photo:

Get in the holiday spirit with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra’s annual Holiday Pops, presented by Moore Colson. These special seasonal concerts will take place on December 7th and 8th at the Marietta Performing Arts Center.

GSO Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville will lead the orchestra and 100-plus members of the GSO Chorus in performances of timeless favorites and fresh new classics including music from The Nutcracker, Winter Wonderland, Hanukkah Fantasy, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Silent Night, and more. At the conclusion of the concert, audience members will be invited to join in caroling alongside the chorus, certain to be a magical holiday experience.

Adding to the festive fun of the season, St. Nick himself will be making an appearance as a guest conductor! A special Santa photo opportunity will be available to patrons following the concerts.

Tickets are $15–$45, and are now available through georgiasymphony.org/all-events.

Send us your holiday event news!

If your organization or entity is holding such an event that’s open to the public, please send East Cobb News your information and we’ll be glad to post it!

This can include festivals, pumpkin patches, Thanksgiving activities, holiday concerts, Christmas tree and Menorah lightings, New Year’s celebrations and fundraisers.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

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Mountain View Arts Alliance seeks holiday cabaret performers

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Cobb PARKS and the M0untain View Arts Alliance are holding a holiday cabaret, and is seeking performers for the Dec. 23 show at The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road). From an e-mail message soliciting participants:

Performers of all ages and types will be performing holiday pieces throughout the evening, and at intermission, attendees are encouraged to check out the silent auction out front, where 50% of the proceeds will go to the Best Friends Animal Society!

The cost to register to perform is $10 per artist, and can be done so by clicking here.

The performances must be connected to the holidays and there’s a maximum time limit of seven minutes. The content must be family-friendly (no profanity or content relating to drugs, sex, violence, etc.) and participants will be asked to participate in at least two of workshop days of rehearsals.

Tickets are on sale for $18 person and can be purchased by clicking here.

Send us your holiday event news!

If your organization or entity is holding such an event that’s open to the public, please send East Cobb News your information and we’ll be glad to post it!

This can include festivals, pumpkin patches, Thanksgiving activities, holiday concerts, Christmas tree and Menorah lightings, New Year’s celebrations and fundraisers.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website or social media pages.

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Wheeler Theatre presents ‘ALL MY SONS’ this weekend

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Wheeler Theatre presents 'ALL MY SONS' this weekend

Submitted information and photo:

Wheeler High School Theatre’s Student Acting class presents Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning play All My Sons, opening in Wheeler’s Black Box Theatre with shows on November 15 & 16 at 7:00 pm and November 16 & 17 at 2:00 pm.

Set in 1945 after World War II, this is a story about the Keller Family and how the actions of their father affected those around them, including their neighbors and their life long friends, The Deever Family. An American masterpiece, All My Sons examines the relationships between a father and a son, the price men pay for the American Dream, the moral and emotional scars of war, and human struggle for moral and legal conscience. A family drama that established Arthur Miller as a leading voice in the American theater, All My Sons takes the audience to a startling and heartbreaking conclusion.

ALL MY SONS is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com) PG-13 – not recommended for children under the age of 13.

TICKETS: WHEELERHS.BOOKTIX.COM
Adult Tickets: $20
Student Tickets: $10 / with student ID or children attending with an adult
CCSD Faculty and Staff receive ONE Complimentary Ticket with CCSD ID.

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Kell HS marching band triumphs at 2024 Conquest of Champions

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Kell HS marching band triumphs at 2024 Conquest of Champions

Submitted information:

At the recent Conquest of Champions hosted by Allatoona High School, the Kell Longhorn Marching Band walked away with a whole host of awards, including Conquest Grand Champion, first in AAAAA Division, overall Gold Division winner, Best General Effect, and Best Music Performance!

Their current show, “Pop,” explores all things pop—music, pop art, things that go “pop,” even pops of color. The production features instantly recognizable classical music from well-known movies and musicals and iconic music by pop legends Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce, and more!

“The beauty of marching band is that it is very subjective,” said Kell Band Director David Roth. “We can only control what we do, not what other bands do or what a judge focuses on. Our barometer for a successful performance at any competition is how good we feel when we walk off the field.”

After their performance at Conquest, every Longhorn band member knew exactly how they had done.

“The students walked off the field literally in tears because they knew they just had their best performance of the season to date. The energy was unmistakable, and the emotion was palpable,” Director Roth said.

The 2024 Kell Marching Band is the largest in school history, with 170 members. The students have been working on this show since band camp in July. All that practice paid off with a superb performance on Buccaneer Field to claim the title of Conquest Grand Champions!

“We are very passionate about using competition as a means to better OURSELVES, not just to win awards,” Director Roth continued. “We constantly remind the students that they will remember the feeling of performing with their best friends in an activity they love far more than any amount of trophies they win.”

That said, Director Roth was still thrilled with the judge’s confirmation of an exceptional performance.

“We are so incredibly happy for them,” he concluded proudly about his Conquest Grand Champions. “Not only for the placements but for their performance and the memories they will carry with them forever.” 

East Cobb artist to present holiday show of abstract works

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East Cobb artist to present holiday show of abstract works

Submitted information and photos:

Lynne McDonald, an abstract artist and entrepreneur, presents a Holiday Art Show, Smoke & Mirrors, at Serendipity Labs (3225 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta), November 13, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Lynne has been the featured artist at Serendipity for nearly three years. This Holiday Show will be the unveiling of Lynne’s beautiful new pieces. Guests are invited to enjoy lite bites and drinks. For more information and to RSVP, call 770.765.0590, or visit www.lynnemcdonald.com.

“If you had told me in my twenties that I would be making a living as an artist and stirring souls with my artwork, I never would’ve believed you,” says Lynne. “I never allowed myself to dream that far outside the box. Now I tell people to follow their dreams as wild as you think they are because that is what makes their life unique and special. That is their gift to the world. Just keep saying yes!”

Lynne continues, “I’m fascinated by the organic beauty in nature. Most often my inspiration comes from water. It has a spiritual element that tugs at my soul. I am grateful for the time I’ve spent in beautiful, inspiring places around the world.“

Lynne mixes her own paints and adds different additives or mediums to create different viscosity and pours it onto the canvas. Her vibrant, organic artworks are crafted with acrylic paints, brushes, and unconventional tools such as a blow torch, forks, straws, paintbrushes, fingers…whatever is handy.

Participating in juried events like Summerfest and collaborating with interior designers, Lynne has sold over 400 paintings. Since transitioning into her full-time career, Lynne has curated 13 solo exhibitions, including three Live Instagram shows held during the challenges of the Pandemic, each meticulously produced in various locations, alongside four collaborative showcases.

“Art is subjective. When someone connects with my work and it stirs their soul, I consider that a success,” Lynne explains. “In the studio, I am authentic and vulnerable, because each piece of work is a piece of me. I pour large pieces; I prefer the impact of a large statement piece.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Lynne McDonald started painting in her kitchen in 2015 and made it her full-time profession by 2020. Lynne carefully creates artworks with organic elements and intricate details, gradually revealing themselves over time to evoke immediate emotional responses. Having reshaped her career and life, she radiates hope, inspiring others to break free and embrace life’s possibilities.

Lynne has developed a following and has sold pieces all over the world; from Georgia to Greece to Dubai. As a juried artist, she’s been able to have over fifteen shows in her short career; thirteen of which have been solo. She’s had her work published in a coffee table book, 101 Art Book Floral Edition 2024; in Simply Buckhead and Best Self Atlanta magazines; won numerous awards; and has been on countless podcasts and radio shows to encourage everyone to live life on their terms.

“It’s amazing! I have to pinch myself! I have hundreds of collectors all over the world,” says Lynne. “I have large commercial buildings with my artwork and am currently the featured artist at Serendipity. I have representation in Florida and Alabama. And I have cleared paintings for film and tv work. I am so proud to say that I am an artist!”

Lynne continues, “We are all worthy of our dreams. I took a leap and created the life I wanted. I stepped into my authenticity and started saying yes to possibilities I had never considered. I hope my work inspires others to embrace life. You are the designer of your life!”

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Deadline nears for Cobb PARKS Fun in the Park photo contest

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Mabry Park Opening
Mabry Park

Submitted information:

As you have enjoyed your Cobb parks and activities, take a few minutes to go through your favorite photos and submit your best to the Fun in the Park photo contest. You can enter photos of sports, nature, wildlife and anything else that shows why you enjoy spending time in Cobb’s parks, facilities and at events. Enter up to 10 of your best shots in the 20th annual contest. The competition is open to all photographers, amateur and pro. The entry deadline is Nov. 4. See the rules and download the entry form on the photo contest web page.

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GSO to hold sensory-friendly concert at Wheeler HS

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GSO to hold sensory-friendly concert at Wheeler HS

Submitted information and photo:

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra opens the concert hall to all through sensory-friendly and family concerts, continuing a tradition begun nine years ago. These specially tailored performances will take place November 9, 2024 at Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA.

GSO Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville will lead the orchestra in a forty-five minute program as they perform music from some of the greatest heroes of cinema, including the epic sounds of Captain Jack Sparrow, the Dark Knight, the Man of Steel, and many more. Up to 30 minutes before or after each concert, children and families are invited to touch and experience a myriad of instruments first-hand as part of a musical petting zoo.

As a KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certified organization, the GSO is proud to offer a sensory-friendly performance for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families, where audience members can experience orchestra music without any of the constraints of a standard performance. Individuals are free to move about, dance, speak, sing, or vocalize, and have access to a quiet room for sensory breaks.

GSO patron Sarah Arrington shares, “As a mother of a child with special needs, the Sensory Friendly concerts really spoke to me. In that environment, [my son] can experience the music without limitations. To see the smile on his face when he gets to put his hands on the instruments in the Instrument Petting Zoo…where else can kids put their hands all over real instruments?! My son put his cheek on the cello to feel the vibrations. It was a magical experience for him.”

People of all ages and abilities will delight in the discovery of an orchestral experience that invites and welcomes all to the world of classical music.

Tickets are priced at just $10, and are now available through georgiasymphony.org/special-events.

 

 

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Fall concert at LCR features Mozart, choral/gospel works

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On Sunday the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (4814 Paper Mill Road) is holding a fall concert featuring Mozart, as well as other choral and gospel works.Fall concert at LCR features Mozart, choral/gospel works

The free concert, which is open to the public, takes place from 4-5 p.m. and organizers are asking for those interested in attending to RSVP online by clicking here.

The theme of the concert is “Credo: We All Believe in One True God,” which is the title of the opening piece from Martin Luther. Here’s the program:

  • Martin Luther’s “Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott” (We All Believe in One True God)
  • Mozart’s “Credo” Mass in C major
  • The southern gospel hymn “I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary”
  • Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” (A Little Night Music)
  • Additional choral and instrumental works

“Together, our combined choir of 35 singers will be joined by an orchestra featuring strings, oboes, trumpets, organ, piano, and percussion, bringing you a diverse program of music that will inspire and uplift.

“Ranging from deeply theological to lighthearted and joyous, this concert captures the many ways of expressing our faith.”

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: String quartet; Music in the Park; more

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East Cobb Weekend Events: String quartet; Music in the Park; more

Music is in the air—both indoors and out—and will headline weekend events in and near East Cobb.

Sunday afternoon music-lovers can choose from dueling concerts if you will, starting with the sounds of the Atlanta-based Amadeus String Ensemble (pictured above) at 3 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road). It’s the season opener of the church’s 2024-25 Friends of Music concert schedule.

Admission is free for the public to attend, but freewill donations are accepted.

The Friends for the East Cobb Park will hold another Music in the Park event Sunday at 4 p.m. featuring the familiar sounds of the Loose Shoes Duo.

Come to the concert shell at the park (3322 Roswell Road) and bring picnic fare, blankets/chairs and enjoy. The presenting sponsor is Wellstar Health System, and another concert is scheduled for Oct. 27.

The weather all weekend will be gorgeous, and the second Saturday of the month means it’s another Hyde Farm Walking Tour. Come to Hyde Farm (721 Hyde Road) with your walking shoes for a stroll through the Cobb PARKS-operated 1840s working farm for a 45-minute tour starting at 10 a.m.

It’s free, but you’re asked to register in advance for head-count purposes.

Later Saturday afternoon, it’s the Faith Lutheran School Fall Festival (2111 Lower Roswell Road) that’s open to the public. Enjoy family-oriented fun with petting zoo, bounce houses, carnival games, food and drink and a craft market of local vendors and artists running from 3-6 p.m.

On both Saturday and Sunday, it’s Chalkobterfest, a chalk art and beer festival presented by the Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art.

More than 80 artists, more than 100 different beer and 40 different wines will be served up on the Marietta Square to celebrate the onset of fall.

There also will be live music, food trucks and art vendors.

The main festival is 10-5 Saturday and 11-5 Sunday; the beer festival runs from 12-5 Saturday and you can buy tickets for the latter by clicking here.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

 

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Cobb Library Foundation to hold ‘Casino Night’ fundraiser

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Submitted information:Cobb Library Foundation to hold 'Casino Night' fundraiser

Join us for an evening of fun, music, great prizes, and so much more at the elegant Atlanta Country Club on November 9, 2024 for the Cobb Library Foundation’s 3rd Annual Casino Night. Don’t miss out, buy your tickets now!

Can’t attend? Donate now (form below) and help us continue our mission to help our Cobb County Public Libraries be the best in the State! This year we have funded the Summer Reading Program, the North Cobb Regional Library Garden, purchased a new ScanPro for the Georgia Room, OBIE Projector that will be circulated throughout the Library System, an Illumination Station for the Vinings Library, and so much more! Thank you for your participation and support!

For more information and tickets, click here.

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Cobb-Marietta marching band exhibition set for October dates

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Cobb-Marietta marching band exhibition set for October dates

High school marching bands from the Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools will be featured on the first two Mondays in October in the Cobb-Marietta Marching Band Exhibition.

The event—which dates back to 1972—takes place Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 at Walter Cantrell Stadium at McEachern High School (2400 New Macland Road, Powder Springs) starting at 7 p.m. each evening.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students, and the Cobb school district will be live-streaming the festivities.

The bands from Kell and Wheeler high schools will be performing on Oct. 7, while the Lassiter, Pope, Sprayberry and Walton bands are scheduled for Oct. 14.

For more information, click here.

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St. Catherine’s Friends of Music announces 2024-25 concert series

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Submitted information and photo:

The Friends of Music ministry of St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church will begin its 2024-2025 community concert series with a performance by the Amadeus String Ensemble on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, at 3 p.m.

St. Catherine's Friends of Music announces 2024-25 concerts
Amadeus String Ensemble cellist Charae Kreuger

The performance will be led by Sou-Chun Su, acting principal second violin of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and will feature his wife, violinist Sheela Iyengar Su, violist Zhenwei Shi and cellist Charae Kreuger. The ensemble of professional musicians has been performing in the Atlanta area for more than 20 years. 

The musical program will include “String Quartet Opus 18, No. 1” by Ludwig van Beethoven and “String Quartet No. 12 in F,” nicknamed the American quartet, by Antonin Dvorak.

St. Catherine’s 2024-25 concert series also will include the following performances:

  • Christmas with Gate City Brass on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at 3 p.m.

  • Ensemble Chaconne on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at 3 p.m.

  • A Lenten Choral Evensong, featuring the Choirs of St. Catherine’s and special guest artists, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 3 p.m. 

All Friends of Music events are free to the public and donations are accepted. General seating is first-come, first-served. No tickets are necessary. All concerts are held at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, which is located at 571 Holt Road. For more information, email stcats@stcatherines.org or call 770-971-2839.

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The Art Place’s Wizarding Academy celebrates 7th year

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The Art Place's Wizarding Academy celebrates 7th yearSubmitted information:

Join The Art Place’s Wizarding Academy as we celebrate Year 7 on Saturday, October 19th!

Wizarding students aged 6-12 will be welcomed into our magically transformed blackbox theater where they will attend classes led by witches and wizards, craft their own magical items, take pictures with their favorite characters, and more! We encourage all who attend to dress in their most magical attire.

There are two sessions, one from 11:00am-1:00pm and another at 2:30-4:30pm, each with three groups. Coordinate with your friends to sign up for the same session and group to ensure you share the adventure. Please sign up for one session only, projects will repeat. We want as many wizards and witches as possible to have the opportunity to experience the magic and mystery of Year 7.

Early bird price of $40.00 lasts through September 30th. The price will increase to $45.00 on October 1st. The Art Place is located at 3330 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066. Please visit www.artplacemarietta.org or call (770) 509-2700 to register.

 

 

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Cobb Library System release Hispanic Heritage Month booklist

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The period of Sept. 15-Oct. 15 is recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress.Cobb Library System release Hispanic Heritage Month booklist

The Cobb Public Library System has published an extensive booklist as part of the local observances, including titles in history, culture and more, for children and adults.

The federal agencies leading the official national observance include the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (website here).

There was a festival on Sunday hosted by the city of Marietta, and future local events include a concert on the green Saturday at Logan Farm Park in Acworth and an Hispanic Heritage Fiesta on Oct. 12 at Thurman Springs Park in Powder Springs.

 

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Cobb PARKS Holiday Artisan Market accepting vendors

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Submitted information:

Join us for the 2024 Holiday Artisan Market Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15 at Cobb County Civic Center! This festival will feature retailers and artists and will showcase handmade goods, fine arts, performing arts, and more!

Applications are open!

To apply for our Holiday Artisan Market, complete the application and email it, along with photo references, to holidaymarket@cobbcounty.org. Be sure to pay the vendor fee here. 

Vendors will need to complete the application and pay the fee for submissions to be considered complete. Applications will have a rolling acceptance until November 6th or until full.

To apply for our Merry Marketplace: Youth Market, a free entrepreneurial opportunity for ages 13-17., complete the following application and email it, along with photo references, to tonya.mccain@cobbcounty.org. Space is limited so apply today! 

Please email holidaymarket@cobbcounty.org if you have any questions.

 

 

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‘Final Audition’ comedy begins this weekend at The Art Place

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3rd Act Productions, an Alpharetta-based community theatre organization, is staging “Final Audition, Last Chance for the Role of a Lifetime,” a comedy that opens Friday at 8 p.m. at The Art Place Theatre (3330 Sandy Plains Road).'Final Audition' comedy debuts this weekend at The Art Place

According to promotional information, “this is a heartfelt and hilarious play about pursuing a dream.”

The comedy is set in 1993 in Chicago, and opens with the “voice of legendary Chicago TV & radio host, Bob Sirott, informing all about the big news of the year while playing the greatest hits of 1993, one of the best musical years of the 90s.

“FINAL AUDITION centers on the story of Sally Cochrane, whom after 30 years of heartache and struggle trying to make it as an actress in Chicago, is ready to give up on her dream and go back to Normal (Illinois). But when she learns that famous director, Nick Michaels, is returning to his hometown to cast his next Broadway play with Chicago actors, Sally is torn between doing one final audition or just going back to Normal.”

The play will run in 10 performances from Sept. 6 through Sept. 14. For more information and tickets visit Finalaudition.net.

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The Art Place to hold premiere for ‘Final Audition’ comedy

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Submitted information and art:

Katelin Chesna leads a talented cast of Atlanta actors in “Final Audition, Last Chance for the Role of a Lifetime,” an inspirational new comedy written, directed and produced by Chicago novelist and playwright, John Ruane.

Chesna grew up on the southwest side of Chicago only a few miles from the playwright, although they had never met until they both worked on a television series in Atlanta in 2020. It was there Ruane immediately recognized Chesna’s great talent and comedic abilities. She also has the inherent Chicago accent and sarcastic sense of humor required for the role.

“When I saw her perform, I made a mental note, so when I began organizing a production of my play here, I contacted her immediately,” said Ruane, who initially wrote the play in 1993. “After she read the play, I spoke with her on the phone. She told me that she thought I had followed her around and knew her life’s story. That’s how common the acting struggle is for so many performers across the country.”

A very talented professional ensemble joins Chesna, including Justin Dilley, Ryan Siegel, Noel Olken, Nicolette Acosta, Destinee Monet, Joseph McNabb and Harry Wendorff. The cast was selected through auditions, recommendations and Ruane scouting plays for talented actors in the Atlanta area.

“When I first saw Justin Dilley perform, I was blown away!” said Ruane, who spotted him in an ACT3 production. “And when I watched Harry Wendorff and Ryan Siegel perform, their talent and abilities popped right from their first.line. For Destinee Monet, I knew within five seconds of her audition that she was special. And watching Nicolette Acosta and Joseph McNabb performing theircharacters, they were both so good! Great talent jumps out at you immediately! Plus, I really lucked out when I learned Noel Olken, who had starred in my last play in Chicago in 1991, was now in Atlanta. He was the icing on the cake. It’s so exciting to find such a talented group of actors, who are willing to commit the time it takes to rehearse and perform in a play. I’m so grateful!”

“Final Audition” is the story of actress Sally Cochrane, who has worked for 30 years to land one big break to launch her career, but is ready to give it all up and go back to Normal (Illinois), when she learns world famous director, Nick Michaels, is returning to his Chicago roots to cast his next Broadway show, literally giving every actor cast their big break. Sally must decide if she will do one Final Audition or just got back to Normal.

The play will premiere at The Art Place Theatre in Marietta (3330 Sandy Plains Road) on Friday, Sept. 6 and run through Sept. 14. A total of 10 shows will be performed, including a discounted preview on Sept. 5. Tickets can be purchased on the website, www.Finalaudition.net. More information about the playwright’s books is available at www.johnruane.net. FinalAudition is produced by Ruane’s 3rd ACT Productions.

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Cobb Public Library System announces 2024 fall book sale

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Weekend events, Cobb Library Book Sale

Submitted information:

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! The Fall Book Sale will be held at Cobb Civic Center October 4-6, 2024.

Materials for sale include books for all ages in both hardcover and paperback, DVDs, Books on CD and audiocassette, magazines, and puzzles. Prices range from 10 cents to $4.00.

Find a price list here.

Cobb Civic Center is at 548 South Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA 30060. Hours for the sale are Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. There is plenty of free parking.

Acceptable forms of payment are debit, credit, cash, and checks — Visa and MasterCard only.

On Friday until 1 pm electronic (scanning) devices are not permitted. While we hope you will buy lots of materials, we are only able to sell up to 2 boxes of items at a time on Friday until 1 pm. Please plan to pay and take items to your vehicle before coming in to shop some more.

On Sunday we will be working to sell out the Civic Center so please come to buy, buy, buy!

Sunday is BYOB (Bring Your Own Box) Day: fill any size box (you can bodily get back to your car) for a flat rate — $10 upper level only; $20 lower level only; $20 mixed.

All profits from this book sale go directly to buying more items for Cobb County Public Library’s 15 branches and bookmobile. For more information, please visit cobbcat.org.

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Music Studio Atlanta students to perform at Carnegie Hall

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Music Studio Atlanta students to perform at Carnegie Hall
The Music Studio Atlanta’s musicians ending their Sept 11, 2022 performance at the famous Fox Theater in Atlanta.

Submitted information and photo:

The Music Studio Atlanta is thrilled to announce that a select group of its talented students will be performing at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City on July 5, 2025. This extraordinary opportunity marks a significant milestone in the students’ musical journeys and showcases the exceptional quality of education and talent nurtured at The Music Studio Atlanta.

Since its grand opening in 1891, Carnegie Hall has been the epitome of musical excellence, hosting legendary artists from Tchaikovsky to The Beatles. Its hallowed halls have echoed with the performances of the finest musicians across all genres, making it a dream stage for any artist. The Music Studio Atlanta’s students are now set to join this illustrious list, adding their names to the roll call of history.

The Music Studio Atlanta’s young musicians have already wowed audiences at prestigious venues like Fox Theatre and The Strand in Atlanta, Graceland in Memphis, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Now, they will take their talent to the heart of New York City. To be considered for the Carnegie Hall performance, students must be enrolled with The Music Studio Atlanta through the performance date, have performed in at least one recital, and receive approval from their teacher.

Cecilia Rowe, the owner of The Music Studio Atlanta, shared her excitement, stating, “We are beyond thrilled to take our students and families to such a prestigious venue. This is not just a performance; it’s a weekend of memories that these students will cherish forever. Performing at Carnegie Hall is a dream come true and a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Founded 12 years ago in Vinings, The Music Studio Atlanta has expanded to an East Cobb location, earning accolades along the way. Recently awarded Top 25 Cobb County 2024 Small Business of the Year for the second consecutive year, the studio has also been recognized in Best of Cobb and named National School of the Year by MASS, a nationwide organization of music studio owners.

The Music Studio opened in 2011 growing out of Courtnay & Rowe In-Home Music Academy and continuing a 30+ year tradition of offering quality music lessons to thousands of Atlanta students, of all ages and levels. With locations in Vinings and East Cobb, this multi-award winning studio offers lessons in piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, woodwinds and preschool music, 7 days a week and employs a large roster of top-notch teachers and support staff.

tudents enjoy many opportunities to perform including Holiday/Winter Concerts, bi-monthly Open Mic Nights, Summer Recitals, St. Angelo’s Summer Series, and their Destination Performance Series where students perform on some of the most famous stages across the country.

The Music Studio Atlanta is especially proud of its proprietary, patent-pending reward curriculum, which encourages student progress through a series of rewards and recognition, as well as their involvement in their local community with their Café Jam program that goes into elementary schools and performs and educates students about music in the school cafeteria at lunchtime.

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Georgia Symphony Orchestra announces 2024-25 season

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Georgia Symphony Orchestra announces 2024-25 season

Submitted information and photo:

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra has announced its 74th season schedule. Led by Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville, the multifaceted arts organization continues to set itself apart by offering an array of innovative orchestral, choral, jazz, family and sensory-friendly programming.

Classics Series

The Symphony will begin its classics series on Oct. 12, 2024, with Rhapsody in Blue, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s famous composition. Robert Henry will be the featured pianist. The GSO Chorus will join the orchestra in honoring a ground-breaking era in musical history with a medley of popular songs from the 1920s.

The GSO’s mid-season Suite Treats performance on Feb. 1, 2025, will offer a thrilling musical experience with the instantly recognizable “Peer Gynt Suite” by Edvard Grieg, along with the Academy-award winning music of John Williams from the beloved classic “Star Wars.”

The May 17, 2025, season finale, We the People, will delve into various perspectives of American life. The repertoire includes Igor Stravinsky’s orchestration of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” by John Stafford Smith and Francis Scott Key and Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite.” The GSO also will present the world premiere of Verville’s original composition, “Requiem Americano,” which uses American music to speak to our most pressing societal issues. To enhance this powerful performance, the Symphony will be joined by Atlanta’s favorite tenor, Timothy Miller, the Atlanta Boy Choir and the GSO Chorus.

Holiday Pops

The orchestra and GSO chorus will present the annual Holiday Pops! on Dec. 7 and 8, 2024. This beloved holiday tradition will include timeless favorites, new classics and a robust sing-along. A kindly gentleman in his famous red suit will make an appearance and stick around for cookies and pictures after the concert.

GSO JAZZ!

The music of one of the most innovative jazz composers and performers is featured in the season opening performance of the GSO Jazz! Led by saxophonist and Artistic Director Sam Skelton, the band will present Miles Ahead: the Magic of Miles Davis on Feb. 15, 2025, featuring inventive renditions of classics like “So What” and “All Blues.”

On March 28, 2025, Skelton will lead a GSO Jazz! Big-Band performance of West Coast Swing, an electrifying concert featuring the best of West Coast jazz and highlighting the legendary sounds of Stan Kenton, Bill Holman and Buddy Rich, to name a few.

GSO Chorus

On March 9, 2025, the 100-plus members of the GSO Chorus, led by JG Morgan GSO Chorus Director Bryan Black, will perform Lux Perpetua: Light of Hope. Musical selections will feature “Song for Athene” by John Tavener, “Gate, Gate” by Brian Tate, an arrangement of “My God is a Rock” by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, and the original version of Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

GSO’s Family and Sensory-Friendly Concert Series

The GSO’s family and sensory-friendly concert series opens on Nov. 9, 2024, with Symphonic Superheroes: Music to Save the Day! The program will feature music connected with beloved film characters like Captain Jack Sparrow, Batman and many more.

On March 22, 2025, the Symphony will bring to life the tale of a young boy on an adventurous exploration, in a narrated version of Sergei Prokofiev’s classic “Peter and the Wolf.” Audience members also will enjoy Gustav Holst’s lively “St. Paul’s Suite,” a delightful piece originally composed for the students at the school where Holst taught.

Season subscription packages go on sale on Aug. 1, 2024. Single event tickets go on sale on Aug. 12, 2024. For more information, visit georgiasymphony.org.

 

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