Andrew Young, the former civil rights activist, Atlanta mayor, diplomat and leader of Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic bid, will make an appearance in East Cobb this weekend.
He’ll be signing copies of “The Many Lives of Andrew Young,” a 2022 biography, at the Barnes and Noble at Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Road, Suite 102) on Saturday from 2-4 p.m.
Young cooperated with the book, written by AJC journalist Ernie Suggs and published by the University of Georgia Press, that tells the story of Young’s long and distinguished career.
The foreword was written by the late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whom Young served as United Nations Ambassador from 1977-79.
Last month Young turned 93, and a gala event was held in in his honor to benefit Atlanta Jewish Health. In an interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting, Young said that he’s not interested in slowing down.
“It’s the funny thing about birthdays — everyone has them, but nobody knows what to do with them,” he said.
Young said that he’s gratified at how the Atlanta area has changed and grown in his time since he arrived in the early 1960s to work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference founded by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King III.
After that, he served as a member of Congress and in his UN post before becoming Atlanta Mayor and spearheading the Olympic effort. The school of policy studies at Georgia State University is named in his honor.
“Just go out anytime, look up and look around. And see what you see. If you’re in Atlanta, any direction in which you look is amazing,” Young told GPB.
“It’s been a wonderful life. And I can’t think of any place I’d rather live.”
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David Hobson and Melissa Hobson (wearing caps) with their children Avery and Ian Hobson. Photo courtesy Brylliant Acting Studio.
Submitted information and photo:
This summer, the cast of Footloose is cutting loose—and bringing their siblings, parents, husbands, wives, and coworkers along for the ride.
Opening on June 26 at the auditorium at 121 Winn Street in Marietta, Brylliant Acting Studio’s high-energy musical production of Footloose doesn’t just feature catchy songs, ‘80s dance moves, and rebellious teenagers—it also stars a cast that’s basically one big family reunion in costume which brings incredible chemistry to Brylliant’s first ever community theater production.
“It’s been such a joy directing the parents of my usual student actors. Watching them step into the world their kids love so much has brought a whole new energy to the rehearsal space—and plenty of laughs! It’s a full-circle moment for our theater family,” according to director Brynn Chamblee.
Based on the iconic 1984 film, Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teen who moves to a town where dancing is banned and sets out to bring the groove back. This production promises all the foot-stomping hits you know and love—from “Holding Out for a Hero” to “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”—plus some bonus off-stage family dynamics you won’t find in your typical community theater show.
Behind-the-Scenes Scoop:
Lindsey Coleman, co-founder of Brylliant Acting Studios, will escape the sound booth for a change, sharing the stage with her oldest son Bradley and her husband Matt in his inaugural stage appearance. Lindsey will be playing the wife of the town’s pastor—portrayed by David Hobson, a first-time actor himself. Hobson also happens to be the real-life dad of Brylliant stars Liam, 17, and Avery, 18, making this production a “generational.”
Marietta mom Melissa makes Footloose a full-house affair about which daughter Avery, says “I’m excited to share the stage with my parents this summer because they’ve always been so supportive of my theater productions, and now I get to support them and watch them learn and grow through the rehearsal process.”
Jackie Fogas, making her musical theater debut in the ensemble alongside her accomplished daughter Gabriella, 16, is experiencing the flip side: “I’m blown away by how complex musical theatre really is—it’s so much more than singing and dancing. This experience has given me a whole new respect for what it takes to bring a show to life.”
Even those not technically related by blood are part of a deeply connected local arts family. Josh Waters, who plays Wes, is not only performing alongside his son Nolan, 13, but also teaches drama at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy—nurturing the next generation on stage during the school year and “doing the right thing” on the stage in the summer..
Joining Waters are fellow Marietta theater educators: Haley Walter, cast as Lulu, teaches theatre at Marietta Middle School, and Elena Prestwood, playing Ethel, leads music and drama at Park Street Elementary. Together, they’re turning this production into an all-out performing arts department summer bash.
“These educators are the backbone of Marietta’s thriving theater scene,” says Lindsey Coleman. “It’s no exaggeration to say that between them, they’ve taught or directed half the town—and now they’re singing and dancing with them too.”
So bring your dancing shoes, and maybe your own relatives and co-workers, and get ready for a musical experience where the harmonies are tight—and so are the family ties.
Performance Details:
🎭 Footloose: The Musical
📅 June 26– June 28
📍 Auditiorium at MMS, 121 Winn Street, Marietta, Georgia 30064
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Cobb County PARKS invites the community to experience Scene on the Green at The Art Place, a dynamic new summer entertainment series featuring free outdoor theatre, movies and live music performances. This innovative program transforms summer evenings into unforgettable experiences for families, friends, and arts enthusiasts under the stars.
The summer lineup begins with a bang as The Art Place’s Cabaret Camp presents the spirited musical Beetlejuice Jr. June 13 – 14, followed by the Irish stylings of The Jared Bogle Band on June 28. Grab your aviators and watch the action unfold with the blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick on July 10. Mad Artists Entertainment then takes the stage with Shakespeare beneath the summer sky in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, July 18 – 19.
Inside Out 2 is set to light up the lawn with laughter, heart, and a little emotional chaos on July 24. Get swept away with the high-octane excitement of Twisters on August 14 before award-winning End of the Line rounds out the series with a foot-stomping set of bluegrass and genre-spanning favorites on August 16.
Pack your picnic baskets and bring blankets for an evening of entertainment on the lawn. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., giving families time to settle in and socialize before performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, with lawn and grass seating available, along with a limited number of bistro tables and chairs.
“Scene on the Green blends the best of what Cobb PARKS offers — community, creativity, and the outdoors,” says Cobb Cultural Affairs Manager Marie Jernigan. “By bringing high-quality arts programming into our parks, we’re making culture more accessible, more casual, and more connected to everyday life.”
2025 Scene on the Green Schedule:
June 13 – 14: Beetlejuice Jr. – Youth Theatre Production
June 28: The Jared Bogle Band – Concert
July 10: Top Gun: Maverick – Movie
July 18 – 19: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Adult Theatre Production
July 24: Inside Out 2 – Movie
August 14: Twisters – Movie
August 16: End of the Line – Concert
All events and parking are FREE and open to the public. The Art Place is located at 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.
Send us your event news!
If your organization or entity is holding 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: [email protected], 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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The 35th rendering of the Marietta Greek Festival starts Friday afternoon and goes through Sunday afternoon at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church (3431 Trickum Road). Parking is free, including the satellite lots at Simpson MS and the Church of Latter-Day Saints, with site transportation provided by complimentary shuttle bus.
A wide range of homemade Greek foods, music, dancing, church tours and atmosphere about in this venerable community celebration of Greek culture.
The Taverna offers adults the opportunity to quench their thirst with Greek wine, beer, and liqueur, while the Greek Street Food tent offers delightful portable food options. Be sure to take a guided tour of the Byzantine style sanctuary to see the beautiful iconography and learn more about the Orthodox faith.
Admission is $5 and children under 12 are free. This year the festival is offering special online ticket packages that include free admission, as well as other substantial coupon deals.The festival also donates a portion of its proceeds to local charities.
On Saturday, the Atlanta-based choral ensemble Coro Vocati will be concert starting at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road). The theme is “Two Rivers,” and features eight pairs of songs–including both choral classics and new, less discovered work that serve as a study of the contrasts found within the life experience.
Tickets are $12 for students at $20 for adults and can be purchased by clicking here.
Sunday is the final concert in the Music in the Park spring series at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road). The musical guests are the Dark Star Brothers Band (formerly Men in Blues), who perform blues, folk, Americana, country, pop and rock tunes with some jazz infusion.
Presented by Wellstar, East Cobb Rotary and Frameworks gallery, the concert is from 4-6 in the back concert shell and is free to the public. You can bring food, a blanket and chairs to enjoy.
The fall Music in the Park begins after Labor Day.
Send us your event news!
If your organization or entity is holding 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: [email protected], 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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The Georgia Symphony Orchestra closes its 74th season on Saturday, May 17, with We the People, featuring the world premiere of “Requiem Americano,” a new original piece by conductor and music director Timothy Verville.
We the People will delve into various perspectives on American life. The beloved ballet music from Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” beautifully captures a wedding ceremony between a husband and a pioneer woman in rural Pennsylvania, evoking the simplicity and serenity of their life.
In stark contrast, “Requiem Americano” uses the music of America to address pressing social issues, including anti-immigration sentiment, hypercommercialism, gun violence, social isolation, and disproportionate incarceration.
This powerful performance will also feature tenor Timothy Miller, the Atlanta Boy Choir, and the GSO Chorus.
As the 2024-25 season comes to an end, GSO is looking ahead to the next season, which will see the symphony celebrate its 75th anniversary. Special celebrations will be announced soon!
We the People will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Center in Kennesaw, GA. Tickets are $15–$45 and are available at georgiasymphony.org/all-events.
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Join Cobb Library’s Multicultural Services Group in welcoming spring with family-friendly crafts, activities, and snacks from around the world, while supplies last! This event is a celebration of cultures and all ages are welcome.
Some crafts & activities include:
DIY kites
Bead jewelry
Mini piñatas
Origami
Bollywood dancing, and more!
About the Multicultural Services Group
The Multicultural Services Group fosters cross-cultural understanding through inclusive programming and resources. Its members offer programming and outreach that celebrate the diverse cultures and groups in the county, providing education and entertainment for all.
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The Georgia Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce Kim Ellet as its new Development Director.
In this role, Kim will lead fundraising efforts by building relationships with donors, patrons, and partners. She will work closely with the GSO team to help ensure the orchestra’s growth and continued success while fostering a strong sense of community support.
With over 10 years of experience leading the Atlanta office of The Growth Coach, Kim has worked closely with local business and nonprofit leaders, providing strategic business and sales coaching. In addition to a tourism and event production background, she has deep roots in the Marietta and Cobb County communities, actively engaging with organizations like Visit Marietta, Marietta Kiwanis, the Marietta Arts Council, and the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association.
“As a passionate advocate for the arts, I am excited to bring my energy and experience to GSO and help share the orchestra’s vision of making excellent music accessible to all in our community,” said Kim.
With GSO approaching its 75th Anniversary Season, Kim looks forward to assisting GSO in continuing its legacy of inspiring and enriching lives through music.
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“Crime stories are interesting because they are about human drama,” Brandi Bradley said.
A newspaper reporting career in the small-town South provided Brandi Bradley not only with a rich vein of stories to tell but also a window to the writing life she really dreamed of having.
“I always wanted to be a novelist,” said Bradley, a 12-year resident of East Cobb, who this month will have her second work of fiction published.
But what kind of novelist she would become wasn’t clear at the outset.
She thought about writing Romance novels, but her stories “just kept getting darker and darker.”
Her biggest influences were Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich—”I love the airport novels,” she says—but the style and real-life experiences of her journalistic work poured out as well.
“I wrote like a journalist because I was a journalist,” she said. “I still do.”
She covered courts and trials in places like Paducah, Ky., where she was the only female reporter on staff, and the stories practically wrote themselves.
“I love a good crime story,” Bradley said. “Crime stories are interesting because they are about human drama.”
In 2023, she self-published her first novel, “Mothers of the Missing Mermaid,” set in Destin, Fla.
It’s about a young woman who learns that she was kidnapped as a toddler and raised in the Gulf beach town.
Her new novel, also self-published on her own platform, Rumor Mill Press, is called “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder,” and is set in a fictitious Kentucky town called Pleasant Springs.
If that sounds intentionally noirish, it is. Bradley describes her new novel as a noirish tale of a young entrepreneur’s death, investigated by a distracted detective who uncovers a motive that unfolds very gradually, and intensely.
As the dead man’s relationships are examined, the female investigator’s wife’s ex-boyfriend—who was the sperm donor for their baby—decides to return to Pleasant Springs.
“There’s a lot of small-town human drama,” Bradley said. “Being suspicious of new people, and asking the question: What is the fight really about?”
Bradley grew up on a farm in western Tennessee, and was hooked on reading and writing at an early age, devouring the novels of true-crime author Ann Rule in high school.
There wasn’t a high culture revolving around bookstores, so public libraries filled her reading cravings.
She and her husband both worked for newspapers in Kentucky. He left the business for law school, then the family relocated to East Cobb when he became an attorney for the U.S. Treasury Department in Atlanta.
They have two sons, one a Walton High School graduate, and another who attends Dickerson Middle School.
“We just fell in love with East Cobb,” she said, mentioning the writing workshops she’s been a part of with writing groups at the East Cobb Library.
“I love working with the libraries,” she said. “They have saved me many, many times.”
Until she recently got a study room of her own at home, Bradley did a good bit of her own writing at Panera Bread at Avenue East Cobb and local coffee shops.
“I learned how to write in the margins,” she said. “I write when I can.”
Since 2020, she has been a full-time non-tenured teacher of English composition and creative writing at Kennesaw State University, and she’s on campus four days a week.
She’s set up what she calls a “write in” space for students who want to meet, talk, or just hang out. A good bit of her job is to encourage students who haven’t been given much encouragement.
“The students who are told in high school that they’re bad writers,” she said, “they realize they’re good. And I tell them that. They’re trying to validate experiences with their writing.”
She notes that during her youth, before the online world, reading and writing books were made to seem like chores.
Now she sees something of the reverse taking place.
“The digital spaces feel like school” to students today, “and the physical spaces don’t feel like school.
“I like to tell them you get to touch the thing you own.”
Bradley, who said she prefers self-publishing to have control over her own work, updates readers on her author’s website, BrandiBradley.com.
She says she’s at work on the very early stages of another novel, also set in Pleasant Springs, “but it’s not a sequel.”
“Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder” will be published on March 14.
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Two book discussion groups meet regularly at the East Cobb Library branch, which also conducts a walking book club at East Cobb Park.
Submitted information:
Cobb County Public Library’s March calendar features several Book Discussion options for adults. The sessions include a walking book group, a Silent readers program, and more conversations between neighbors on works spanning a variety of topics.
The Silent Book Club at Gritters Library, 880 Shaw Park Rd., Marietta 30066, will meet Saturday, March 1 with participants arriving at 2 p.m., reading at 2:30 p.m. and socializing at 3:30 p.m. Unlike a regular book club, there is no assigned reading or discussion. There are about 1500 Silent Book Club chapters in more than 50 countries across the globe.
The Short Story Discussion Group meets at Sewell Mill Library, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068, on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. The March 4 meeting will be on The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins-Gilman.
Science Fiction Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St., Marietta 30060. The book for March 4 is Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.
East Cobb Walking Book Club will meet 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6 at the East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta 30068. Members gather near the park entrance to walk for exercise before a book discussion. The title for March 6 is West with Giraffes, historical fiction by Lynda Rutledge. The club is organized by East Cobb Library. The book selection may change if there are not enough available copies. To confirm the March title and for more information, call 770-509-2730.
The Shakespeare Reading Group meets at Switzer Library 2 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month to discuss works from the expansive canon of William Shakespeare, including drama, tragedy, sonnets and lyrics. Upcoming sessions include March 6 and March 20.
Page Turners Morning Book Group and Page Turners Afternoon Book Group next meet Wednesday, March 12 at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066, at 10:30 am and 1 p.m., to discuss novels. The Morning title is the novel Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and the Afternoon selection is A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, the semi-autobiographic novel by Betty Smith. Page Turners meets the first Wednesday of the month. To register, visit cobbcat.org.
Sewell Mill Library’s Creative Studios:Fantasy Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The March 12 discussion will be on What the Woods Took, a young adult horror novel by Courtney Gould.
Sewell Mill Book Club meets each month on the third Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center. The title for March 19 is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the autobiographical novel by Robert Pirsig.
The East Cobb Book Discussion Group meets the third Thursday of every month with the morning session at 11 a.m. and the afternoon session at 2 p.m. at East Cobb Library, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068. The March 20 morning selection is the novel A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci and the afternoon title is Emilia Hart’s novel Weyward. The book selections may change if copies are not available. For more information, call 770-509-2730.
Let’s Talk Multicultural Book Club next meets 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at Switzer Library,. The session will be a discussion on the historical novel Brooklyn by Irish writer Colm Toibin with guest speaker historian and retired Cobb librarian James Camp.
For information on March Book Discussion programs offered by Cobb County Public Library, visit cobbcounty.org/library.
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Atlanta Ballet Dancers Denys Nedak and Madison Penney perform in “Coppélia.” Photo copyright Rachel Neville.
Submitted information and photo:
Atlanta Ballet is delighted to present the beloved classic by an iconic choreographer George Balanchine’s Coppélia March 21-23 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This family-friendly performance will feature Atlanta Ballet company dancers and a large cast of talented students from the Centre for Dance Education, bringing the enchanting tale to life.
Set to the enchanting score by Léo Delibes performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, this comic ballet centers on a playful heroine determined to save the young man to whom she is betrothed and a pivotal encounter with an eccentric toy maker and his mysterious daughter Coppélia, who is a whimsical creation from his workshop which he imagines bringing to life using his magic book.
This production marks a special occasion as it will be the first time that Atlanta Ballet has presented this ballet. Balanchine’s original choreography, known for its intricate and playful storytelling, will shine with the added energy of young performers, ensuring a fresh and exciting take on this classic ballet.
“This charming story, full of humor, drama and romance, is perfect for families and newcomers to ballet, and we’re excited to present it in a way that feels both magical and entertaining” said Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin. “This is the largest production Atlanta Ballet will bring onstage merging its professional dancers with student of different ages from our own Centre for Dance Education in history, which will make these performances truly special.”
The “love conquers all” story set in a small town features a quartet of central characters including quirky inventor Dr. Coppélius and pawn as his beautiful daughter Coppélia and a bride and groom to be, Frantz and Swanilda. The show includes mischief, mistaken identity, comedy and action as characters overcome obstacles. The ballet culminates in a grand festival.
For more information about Atlanta Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s Coppélia and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.atlantaballet.com/performances. Tickets can be purchased online at atlantaballet.com or in person at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre box office. For groups of twenty or more, please order tickets via the [email protected] email.
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Join the Cobb Library Foundation for a magical evening with bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen at our “Booked for the Evening” gala on April 25th or give directly to the heart of our libraries during our “Love Your Library” fundraiser by donating online or in person.
Can’t attend? Make a donation 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!
Every contribution, big or small, helps us provide vital resources and programs for everyone in Cobb County.
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The Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) will be assisting in a historic screening of the 1927 silent film “Metropolis” (1927) on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre (117 North Park Square in Marietta, Ga). The screening will offer a unique chance to experience a silent film with live theatre organ accompaniment from a traditional theatre organ with phenom organist Brett Miller.
“Metropolis” is a groundbreaking science fiction film directed by Fritz Lang, featuring a portrayal of a futuristic city divided by class. The film’s visionary use of special effects and its exploration of technology and social inequality made Metropolis a pioneering work that influenced generations of filmmakers and became a cornerstone of the sci-fi genre.
“We invite others to join us to see ‘Metropolis’ like never before, accompanied by the powerful sounds of the Strand’s Mighty Allen Theatre Organ and the incredible talents of Brett Miller,” said ATOS Atlanta Chapter President David Yackman. “This masterpiece shines with its groundbreaking visuals while immersing you in a unique cinematic experience that echoes through both time and music.”
As one of the youngest in a rare art form, Brett Miller, is an active organist, conductor and arranger specializing in the art of silent film accompaniment. A finalist in the ATOS’s Young Organist Competition, Miller has continued his academic involvement and advocacy for the education and preservation of silent films through performance “live to picture.”
The theatre organ became popular during the 1920s at the height of the silent film era. These magnificent instruments were designed to replicate the sound of a full orchestra on one instrument and can emulate the sounds of instruments such as violins, flutes, oboes, trumpets, clarinets, tambourines, cymbals and even sleigh bells, allowing for an immersive performance from one performer.
The American Theatre Organ Society was founded in 1955 to promote preservation, awareness and celebration of these unique instruments. The Atlanta chapter is happy to share the joy of the theatre organ with the wider community. Visit www.atosatlanta.org/ to learn more.
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Twenty-eight “Make Your Own Masterpiece” challenge quilts will be on exhibit from February 27 through April 5 at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center Gallery. They are from this year’s challenge competition among East Cobb Quilters’ Guild members.
The winning quilt by Melinda Rushing iscalled “If Mondrian Painted Elephants. . .”
East Cobb Quilters’ Guild has a long history of annual Guild quilt challenges. The theme for each year’s challenge quilt evolves from a suggestion from the Challenge Quilt Committee that allows members to use their creativity, artistic talents, and technical skills to represent their interpretations of the challenge theme. This challenge asked ECQG members to make a quilt inspired by a favorite work of art. The inspiration could be the color palette, the style or content of the painting, or the maker could choose to reproduce works of art in the public domain. In addition, entries had to fit the definition of a quilt, meet certain size parameters, and meet a deadline. Each quilt on display will be accompanied by an artist’s statement explaining their journey from “inspiration to creation.”
The opening reception for the “Make Your Own Masterpiece” exhibit at Sewell Mill Cultural Center Gallery will be held on Saturday March 1, 2025, from 2 PM – 4 PM.
Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center is located at 2051 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Call for evening and weekend hours. For additional information visit www.ecqg.com/challenge.
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Joshua Moehling, a noted crime fiction novelist, will visit the Bookmiser store in East Cobb Wednesday, Feb. 19, as part of a national book tour.
His latest work is “A Long Time Gone,” the third in his Ben Packard series of novels.
Here’s what the book is about:
“Deputy Packard is off work—he’s on leave, pending an investigation into a shooting—which gives him the time to investigate some new information about the disappearance of his older brother, Nick, who left their lakeshore family home when they were just kids, never to be seen again. The new information attracts his mother, Pam, to northern Minnesota, as much to check in on Ben as to explore where Nick may be buried. Pam—one of Moehling’s greatest creations—is a New Age, crystal wearing, sex-positive, Wiccan practitioner who would like nothing more than to see Ben find a boyfriend and does everything in her powers to hook him up. While the search for Nick takes a bit of a back seat, Ben can’t help but pursue a far more expansive and contemporary investigation that exposes corruption among County officials. See why so many people were happy to see Ben out of the picture? Add to this another story, brief but hugely meaningful, that provides yet more information about Nick. It’s amazing how Moehling keeps all these narrative balls in the air, but even more amazing is how they eventually come together. For those who love classic mysteries, police procedurals, and family drama.”
Moehling’s appearance at Bookmiser (3822 Roswell Road, Suite 117) will be from 6-7:30 p.m. and will include a book discussion of the Ben Packard series, which includes “Where the Dead Sleep” and “And There He Kept Her.”
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Experience musical solace as the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present ‘Lux Perpetua: Light of Hope’ on March 9, 2025, at Marietta’s historic Zion Baptist Church. This inspiring performance features Gabriel Fauré’s haunting classic, “Requiem,” along with selections from the British choral school, an African-American spiritual, and a Buddhist mantra set by a contemporary Canadian composer.
GSO Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville will lead the orchestra and 100-plus members of the GSO Chorus alongside GSO Chorus Director Bryan Black in this inspirational performance.
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Join Wheeler High School Theatre as they present in royal style, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the Enchanted Edition on March 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 pm and March 29 and 30 at 2:00 pm in the Wheeler Performance Arts Center.
From the amazing team that brought you Oklahoma, The Sound of Music and South Pacific, Rodgers and Hammerstein bring the classic love story of Cinderella to the stage, as told through the eyes of her Fairy Godmother. In a beloved tale of dreams, love and new beginnings, Cinderella is a young woman living in servitude to her cruel stepmother, all while dreaming of a better life. With a little help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is transformed into a beautiful young maiden so she may attend the royal ball. An evening of pageantry and dancing leads her to meet her Prince Charming. but the magic expires at midnight. Young and old will not want to miss seeing true love’s persistence prevail.
Accompanied by a full orchestra of Wheeler Student Instrumentalists, we invite you to attend this beautiful retelling of a classic tale and enjoy the timeless music from your childhood.
Cinderella is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All Authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
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“Guns and Moses” will screen at the Merchants Walk Cinema Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
The GTE Merchants Walk Cinema once again will be among the venues for the 2025 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which runs from Feb. 19-March 16.
It’s the 25th anniversary of the festival, which features 50 films and kicks off at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (festival features here).
Eight films will be shown at Merchants Walk from Feb. 22-23:
Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse
The Most Precious of Cargoes
Never Alone
Soda
The Glory of Life
Guns and Moses
The Blond Boy from the Casbah
Bliss (Hemda)
Among the featured films is Guns and Moses, in which:
“A charismatic Chabad rabbi in the High Desert unexpectedly becomes a gunslinger after a fierce attack on his close-knit community. Rabbi Mo Zaltzman (Mark Feuerstein) abhors violence, but when his synagogue is riddled with bullets and a congregant assaulted, he reluctantly steps in as a protector. Guided by a Holocaust survivor (Christopher Lloyd) with a shadowed past and a veteran mayor (Neal McDonough), Mo converts into an improbable hero.
“Confronting enemies and moral dilemmas, Mo’s pursuit tests his faith and resilience, unraveling a larger conspiracy. Inspired by real events, this tongue-in-cheek, neo-Western thriller fuses intense action with a striking aesthetic, redefining the Jewish hero and challenging the myth of redemptive violence.”
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It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! The Spring Book Sale will be held at Cobb Civic Center March 7-9, 2025.
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.
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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Ensemble Chaconne members (L to R): Peter H. Bloom, baroque flute; Olav Chris Henriksen, baroque lute; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba. Photo credit: National Music Museum, Vermillion, S.D.
Submitted information and photo:
Musical trio Ensemble Chaconne performs “The Glorious Ones—Treasures by the Late Baroque Masters” at 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Marietta, Ga. The free performance is part of St. Catherine’s Friends of Music Ministry’s annual community concert series.
Now in its 39th season, Ensemble Chaconne’s musical programs are designed to honor the great composers of the renaissance and baroque era in classical music using period instruments. Ensemble members Peter H. Bloom, baroque flutist, Carol Lewis, violist de gamba, and Olav Chris Henriksen, baroque lutist, have toured extensively in the U.S. and abroad.
The ensemble’s Jan. 26th musical program will include the following pieces:
Quatorzieme Concert (Royale) in D Minor by François Couperin
Concerto for Lute in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi
Sonata in G major, Opus 1, No. 5 by George Frideric Handel
Prelude and Muzette in A Minor by Sylvius Leopold Weiss
Fantasia 10 in E major for viola da gamba by Georg Philipp Telemann
Sonata in E Minor BWV 1034 by Johann Sebastian Bach
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 [email protected] or call 770-971-2839.
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The holiday season is upon us, and we want to invite all of you to MVAA’s 2024 Holiday Cabaret!
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!
If you or someone you know would like a chance to PERFORM in this cabaret, they can sign up at the link in our bio! Registration to perform is $10 per artist.
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
