GET TORCHED AT TWO URBAN LICKS DURING GASTRO GARAGE POP-UP

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/30/24

Fiery Dinner Series Featuring Eight Deconstructed Courses Cooked by Gastro Mechanics Wielding Blowtorches

Tickets on Sale for September 18th & 27th and October 5th; Seatings Available at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Known for its wood-fired cuisine, TWO urban licks is turning up the heat this fall with the help of Gastro Garage, the acclaimed experiential dining pop-up that has been captivating minds and mouths from L.A. to Abu Dhabi. Descending upon the beloved BeltLine dining institution for three high-energy nights and six shows this September and October, adventurous guests will be treated to an eight-course, deconstructed dinner prepared by Gastro Mechanics wielding blowtorches.

“As we lead up to TWO’s official 20th anniversary in late October, we couldn’t think of a better partnership to get us fired up for this incredible milestone in more ways than one,” says Todd Rushing, Concentrics Restaurants Partner. “We cannot wait for our guests to experience this visually invigorating and immersive culinary experience that’s unlike anything we’ve ever hosted over the past two decades.”

Igniting the culinary scene, Gastro Garage will treat diners to a daring and delicious menu of torched and foam-infused creations, where molecular gastronomy transforms each dish into an explosion of textures and flavors. Diners can indulge in bold highlights like the Buffalo Blue Chips, the Piston Pizza Tank topped with mozzarella foam and a vibrant tomato basil purée, and the Gastro Burger Tank featuring rich cheddar foam and perfectly torched Wagyu beef. The adventure continues with the Short Ribs Drill Bit, boasting tender Japanese-marinated short rib, and extends to imaginative courses like the Carrot Pop with maple-glazed baby carrots kissed by flame, the Naked Salmon Drill Bit enhanced with sesame oil and Béarnaise foam, and the Pistol Peach Tank, a sweet and spicy symphony of cream cheese foam and black pepper peach purée. For a grand finale, the Princess Buttercup Tank delights with a decadent blend of double chocolate foam, torched sweet peanut purée, and a playful Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup twist.

The Gastro Garage pop-up at TWO urban licks will be held on Wednesday, September 18th, Friday, September 27th, and Saturday, October 5th, with seatings available at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Space is limited—reserve by calling TWO at 404-522-4622 or book online via OpenTable here. At $85 per person plus tax and gratuity, each ticket includes one shot, one cocktail, and an eight-course dinner.

TWO urban licks is located at 820 Ralph McGill Boulevard in Atlanta, Georgia and serves dinner seven nights per week and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. For reservations and more information, call 404.522.4622 or visit twourbanlicks.com. Stay connected on Instagram at @twourbanlicks, on Twitter at @twourbanlicks and on Facebook.com/TWOurbanlicks. 

JIMMY BUFFET DAY 2024: MARGARITAVILLE AT LANIER ISLANDS HOSTING DAY OF SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF LIFELINE ANIMAL PROJECT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/27/24

Friday, August 30, 2024

On Jimmy Buffett Day, Aug. 30, 2024, and Labor Day Weekend, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is supporting LifeLine Animal Project, a local nonprofit providing lifesaving solutions to end euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in county shelters, as part of the brand’s “Day of Service.”


To honor his incredible legacy, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands will host LifeLine Animal Project and its adoptable dogs at the Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands for a ‘Dog Days of Summer’ event. Margaritaville at Lanier Islands will donate $1,500 and a portion of all souvenir cup sales directly to LifeLine Animal Project. Guests can also bring donated items from 4 to 6 p.m. to gain free entry at the Lanier Islands front gate. For more details on LifeLine Animal Project and the full donation wish list, visit LifeLineAnimal.org/wishlist.

All Margaritaville communities, properties, resorts, restaurants, destinations, hotels and cruises will conduct a brand-wide day of service on Jimmy Buffett Day, Aug. 30, and the following Labor Day Weekend. This initiative honors Jimmy, his legacy and his life and celebrates how he prioritized supporting others and focused on leaving the world a better place. The day of service will support Singing for Change, a nonprofit organization created by Jimmy in 1995, and other organizations worldwide.

ATLANTA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL DINNER AT ATRIUM WITH TREVOR SHIBUYA AND JARED HUCKS PRESENTED BY VERONI

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/27/24

Friday, September 13 | Atrium | 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Join us for a unique dining experience at Atrium, featuring a special multi-course dinner in partnership with acclaimed Chef Jared Hucks from the Michelin-recommended restaurant, The Alden. This exclusive event will highlight seasonal dishes, expertly paired with crafted cocktails and wines. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at Atrium’s Martini Bar, where local artist Janelle Martinez-Cruz will create live watercolor prints as a special gift for guests. Along with art, guests will be greeted with light bites and drinks, featuring premium Italian charcuterie from Veroni, an esteemed producer of fine cured meats from the renowned Emilia-Romagna region. Following, enjoy a four-course dinner in our whimsically adjusted dining room. $180 per person.

Tickets here.

THE CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME PUTS FANS DIRECTLY INTO THE GAME WITH ITS NEW AI EXPERIENCE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/26/24

In Partnership with Creative Principals and HyperCinema, GAME ON! Delivers Never Before Seen Artificial Intelligence Integrations

Set, Hike! The College Football Hall of Fame is setting a new industry milestone with its new GAME ON! AI Experience. This deeply engaging, personalized storytelling experience inserts fans into the rich history of college football. The introduction of GAME ON! and overall renovation mark a new era for the Hall of Fame as it celebrates 10 years in Atlanta and cements its impact in the Capital of College Football.

While museums and entertainment destinations have experimented with artificial intelligence since 2017, GAME ON! uses generative AI for the first time to make guests the hero of the college football story. Guests step up to a photographic face scan kiosk, prompting a series of questions about their favorite team, biggest rivals and their dream position they’d take on the field. The technology leverages this information to tailor their experience, spanning 14 fan-specific AI experiences throughout the Hall. Guests will see their likeness, preferences and personality through curated images and video with customized captions. Here are just a few examples: 

  • The Super Fan: Guests are transported to a college football stadium where they find themselves cheering in the stands and wearing their favorite team’s colors. Simultaneously, they can read about their own game day rituals.
  • The Weight Room: This existing exhibit is being enhanced by GAME ON! AI so guests can both see themselves pumping iron and read about how they can reach maximum strength. 
  • The Coaches: The existing coaches exhibit has been updated with a video called “The Greatest Coaches That Never Were,” where guests are shown as a fictitious historic college coach who inspired their team through some unusual methods.
  • The Champions & Contenders: Guests can pose with the Heisman and College Football Championship trophies, next to a display case featuring the real-life hardware.
  • The Field JumboTron: As guests enter the College Football Hall of Fame’s famous field to kick, pass and run, they’ll find a video of themselves as their favorite team’s most recent college recruit with a personalized voice-over playing on the field’s large LED screen.

“As a leading attraction in sports and a symbol of College Football at the highest level, we were looking for a modern way to pay homage to the sport we love,” said Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “GAME ON! is our mission in action: an experience that connects fans to college football through education, inspiration and entertainment, while honoring the sport’s excellence through every artifact and AI touchpoint.”

GAME ON! is the result of a ground-breaking, international collaboration between the College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia’s Creative Principals, New Zealand tech startup HyperCinema and The Producers Group from Los Angeles. “When the College Football Hall of Fame enlisted our help to reimagine its exhibits and experiences, we had the vision to help guests become part of the story, rather than just witness it,” said Geoff Thatcher, founder and chief creative officer of Creative Principals, the creative firm behind the development of GAME ON!. 

HyperCinema’s groundbreaking technology and team has brought Creative Principals’ vision to life. “For the last two years, our team of skilled experts has been developing and refining this hyper-personalized storytelling technology. We’re honored to collaborate with Creative Principals to create this remarkable experience for the College Football Hall of Fame. Now every guest can become the hero of their own story, ushering in a new age for creative guest experiences,” said Dr. Miles Gregory, co-founder and creative director of HyperCinema, the company responsible for the patented technology that powers GAME ON!.

The upgrades to the Hall of Fame’s guest experience aren’t stopping with GAME ON!. 

The Hall and Aflac partnered to create an all-new exhibit celebrating the rich shared history between the US Military and College Football. The fitting tribute honors our U.S. Service Academies, Senior Military Academies and Hall of Fame Inductees who served. The exhibit will showcase priceless artifacts, uniform displays and an 18ft x 12ft video wall of stadium flyovers. The new “Military and Football” exhibit also includes a GAME ON! AI experience putting guests in the cockpit of a plane or helicopter during a stadium flyover.

Additional upgrades include an expanded exhibit on the game’s biggest rivalries, a high-intensity walk-in tunnel, specially curated display honoring a decade in Atlanta and a reimagined retail experience in the Team Store.

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame will reopen to the public on Saturday, August 24 with a 10th Anniversary Celebration and Kickoff Game Football Fest. For more information on the grand reopening or visiting the Hall in Atlanta, visit the College Football Hall of Fame website. 

NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE BRINGING FRIGHT AND FUN TO DRAGON CON LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/26/24

DATES YOU NEED TO KNOW…
Thursday, Aug. 29 – Monday, Sept. 2 | Dragon Con Weekend
Saturday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. | Dragon Con Parade on Peachtree Street;
broadcast on WUPA Atlanta 69 at 10 a.m. EST
Friday, Sept. 20 + Saturday, Sept. 21 I NETHERWORLD Haunted House Opening Weekend

Dragon Con fans are in for a serious fright this Labor Day Weekend, courtesy of NETHERWORLD Haunted House! With haunt season on the horizon, NETHERWORLD once again returns to Dragon Con, bringing its cast of ghoulish creatures, realistic costumes, Halloween spirit, and an elaborate float for the convention’s annual parade.
 
NETHERWORLD Haunted House is proud to participate in Dragon Con’s horror track, the convention’s home for twisted tales and dark fantasy, featuring a nightmarish lineup of panels, topics, and guests. The haunted house team will have a booth set up on the Marquis level of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis for the entire weekend where they will be recruiting actors, taking photos with attendees, offering discounts for Escape the Netherworld, and sharing additional information about this year’s terrifying haunts.
 
NETHERWORLD will also feature multiple vehicles in the iconic parade, including an over-the-top float. Parade onlookers will be the first to see some of the creepy new characters debuting with this year’s haunt themes, WAKE THE DEAD and MR. GRENDEL’S BIRTHDAY PARTY OF HORRORS, in addition to NETHERWORLD’s iconic classic characters.
 
“Dragon Con weekend is always our favorite way to kick off the official start of haunt season,” said NETHERWORLD Haunted House Co-Creator Billy Messina. “It’s a great way to introduce our new themes and characters to the public and get them excited for the haunts. We’re grateful to participate in Dragon Con each year, and excited for this year’s convention.”
 
A few short weeks after Dragon Con, scare fans can look forward to NETHERWORLD’s official opening weekend on Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21. General Admission and Speed Pass tickets for expedited entry are on sale now at FearWorld.com. 

IDLES PLAYING THE TABERNACLE ATLANTA – SUNDAY SEPT 15

I

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/23/24, photo: Tom Ham

NEW ALBUM TANGK

OUT FEBRUARY 16, 2024 VIA PARTISAN RECORDS

PRODUCED BY NIGEL GODRICH, KENNY BEATS & MARK BOWEN

Playing Tabernacle Atlanta, Sunday, 9/15!

Today, IDLES have announced a huge run of new 2024 tour dates, including a North American tour with stops across the US, Canada and Mexico. Known for one of the most life affirming live shows of any band out there, they’ll kick off the first leg in Vancouver, BC at PNE Forum on May 3rd. The second leg begins September 14th at Asheville, NC’s Rabbit Rabbit and finishes in Mexico City. These are some of the biggest North American shows the band have played to date. Tickets go on-sale next Friday, December 8th. Visit Idlesband.com to pre-order the record and gain access to presale tickets. 

Last month, the band announced their highly anticipated new album TANGK, out February 16th via Partisan Records, and shared the propulsive first single “Dancer,” which features backing vocals from LCD Soundsytem’s James Murphy and Nancy Whang. Listen to the song HERE, and watch the video below. The band are also prepping another single release for next month, watch this space for more details… 

TANGK is the band’s forthcoming 5th album and follow up to their Grammy-nominated CRAWLER. Co-produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, The Smile, Beck), Kenny Beats (Denzel Curry, Vince Staples, Rico Nasty), and the band’s Mark Bowen. In an explosive run of unerringly stirring albums, TANGK—pronounced “tank” with a whiff of the “g” and an onomatopoeic reference to the lashing way the band imagined the guitars sounding that has grown into a sort of sigil for living in love – is this band’s most ambitious and striking record yet. 
IDLES are one of rock’s most powerful units for the last decade. Godrich, Beats and Bowen made for an excellent tandem of foils to IDLES, too, pushing them into new terrain and then pulling the reins as needed. TANGK is at once sprawling and focused, imaginative and immediate.

IDLES WORLD TOUR:

2023

Dec 1 – Hong Kong, CN @ Clockenflap

Dec 2 – Bangkok, TH @ Maho Rasop Festival

2024

Feb 29 – Porto, PT @ Super Bock Arena

March 1 – Madrid, ES @ Wizinik

March 2 – Barcelona, ES @ Sant Jordi Club

March 5 – Milan, IT @ Alcatraz

March 7 – Paris, FR @ Zenith

March 8 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS

March 9 – Antwerp, BE @ Lotto Arena

March 11 – Prague, CZ @ SaSaZu

March 12 – Luxembourg, LU @ Rockhal

March 14 – Zurich, CH @ Halle 622

March 15 – Berlin, DE @ Max-Schmeling-Halle

March 16 – Hamburg, DE @ Sporthalle

March 18 – Stockholm, SE @ Annexet

March 19 – Copenhagen, DK @ KB Hallen

March 21 – Cologne, DE @ Palladium

March 22 – München, DE @ Zenith

March 23 – Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle

May 03 – Vancouver, BC @ PNE Forum

May 04 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

May 07 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

May 10 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

May 11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

May 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium

May 18 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom

May 21 – Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater

May 22 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

May 23 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom

Jun 10 – Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live

Jun 11 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues

Jun 13 – New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore

July 12 – Cardiff, UK @ Cardiff Castle

July 13 – Halifax, UK @ The Piece Hall

July 20 – Margate, UK @ Margate Summer Series

July 21 – Cornwall, UK @ The Wyldes

Sep 14 – Asheville, NC @ Rabbit Rabbit

Sep 15 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

Sep 18 – Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

Sept 20 – Toronto, ON @ Coca-Cola Coliseum

Sep 21 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS

Sep 24 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner

Oct 01 – Guadalajara, MX @ Guanamor Teatro Estudio

Oct 02 – Monterrey, MX @ Showcenter Complex

Oct 04 – Mexico City, MX @ Pepsi Centre

Nov 17 – Belfast, UK @ The Telegraph Building

Nov 19 – Dublin, IE @ 3Olympia Theatre 

Nov 23 – Glasgow, UK @ Hydro

Nov 24 – Newcastle, UK @ City Hall

Nov 25 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

Nov 29 – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace

Dec 01 – Brighton, UK @ The Brighton Centre

Dec 03 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham

Dec 06 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Apollo

Dec 07 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Apollo

AN EVENING WITH VICTORIA EADY BUTLER AT THOMPSON ATLANTA – BUCKHEAD

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/23/24

Join us for a distinguished event at Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead’s Tesserae rooftop lounge on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. We are honored to host Victoria Eady Butler, Master Blender at Uncle Nearest and great-great-granddaughter of the legendary Nearest Green, for a captivating evening of spirits and stories.

Event Details: Private Dinner

  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: The Study, Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead
  • Tickets: $150 (includes dinner and entrance to the meet & greet)

Event Details: Meet & Greet

  • Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Location: Tesserae, Rooftop Lounge, Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead
  • Tickets: $25 (Entry fee only, does not include copy of the book)

Exclusive Book Signing:
Enhance your experience by securing a copy of Love & Whiskey, penned by Fawn Weaver, the founder of Uncle Nearest. This compelling book, available for an additional $25, provides a deep dive into the history and legacy of Uncle Nearest.

Event Highlights:

  • Private Dinner: Experience a unique three-course meal infused with Uncle Nearest Whiskey in an intimate setting with Victoria Eady Butler and other tastemakers.
  • Meet & Greet: Engage personally with Victoria Eady Butler, exploring her journey and the legacy of Uncle Nearest.
  • Book Purchase: Obtain a signed copy of Love & Whiskey and delve into the rich history behind one of America’s most renowned whiskeys.

Additional Information:

  • Must be 21 years or older to attend.
  • For questions or more details, please contact us.

Secure your tickets today and be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating heritage, whiskey, and the remarkable story of Victoria Eady Butler. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with a living link to a storied tradition.

FOGÓN AND LIONS KICKS OFF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH 2ND ANNUAL RUM-BA FEST 

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/21/24

Downtown Alpharetta Spanish-Latin Restaurant Presents Spirited Celebration Sponsored by Don Q Rum to Celebrate the Start of Hispanic Heritage Month

Alpharetta locals and visitors alike are invited to join Chef Julio Delgado and the Fogón and Lions team for the Spanish-Latin restaurant’s 2nd annual Rum-Ba Fest sponsored by Don Q Rum on Sunday, September 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., featuring live music, thematic decor, delicious fare and craft rum cocktails to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). 

The Fogón and Lions team will create dishes inspired by Latin American cuisine, representing fare from Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond during the festival at four free sampling stations. The talented bar team has crafted four specialty cocktails for the event, including the Sunbreeze featuring Don Q Naranja Orange Rum and a non-smoked Old Fashioned with Don Q Gran Reserva Añejo XO Aged Rum. Bucket and pouch sizes will be available for select libations, and sister restaurant Minnie Olivia Pizzeria, located right next door, will offer these cocktails at the same price.

Guests can dance to the rhythm of live music, with Latin band Arena Sound performing inside the restaurant and High Latin, an Atlanta-based group, livening up the patio. During Rum-Ba Fest, all tables will be first-come-first-served with no reservations available. 

Chef Delgado looks forward to commemorating this special month alongside the Alpharetta community. Join Fogón and Lions for a colorful evening brimming with international cuisine and culture.

For more information and to make a reservation, please visit Resy. Reservations can also be made by calling (770) 676-9133. Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. 

https://www.fogonandlions.com

WALDORF ASTORIA ATLANTA BUCKHEAD DEBUTS QUEEN OF HEARTS HIGH TEA SERVICE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/15/24

Luxury Buckhead Hotel to Host Tea Party Series Inspired by the Fantastical Tales of Alice in Wonderland

The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead invites guests to step through the looking glass and into a world of whimsy at the hotel’s inaugural Queen of Hearts High Tea inspired by Alice in Wonderland. From August 17 through September 29, guests can reserve this magical tea experience every Saturday and Sunday from 12:30-3:00 p.m., featuring dazzling live entertainment and themed high tea fare fit for royalty.

Guests can indulge in a specially crafted signature cocktail fit for the affair and bright, aromatic teas like the Lady Blue Earl Grey and the Velvet Vanilla Spiced Chai alongside elevated high tea delights, like a White Rabbit’s Cucumber Sandwich, Alice Roast Turkey, Red Queen Egg Salad, and Passion Fruit and Berry Mousse Entremet. For guests seeking an even more luxurious outing, the Royal Caviar Experience add-on is available for an additional $45 per person. To view the full tea service menu, please click here.

In the whimsical spirit of Alice in Wonderland, kings and queens of all ages are invited and encouraged to don their most imaginative royal attire. A live musician will perform during the tea experience, enhancing the hotel’s already-enchanting ambiance and transporting guests to wonderland. Reservations for the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead’s Queen of Hearts High Tea are available via OpenTable, costing $108 per guest and $78 per child aged 11 years or younger plus tax and gratuity.

For more information and to book a hotel stay, please visit Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. 

SIP THE NIGHT AWAY AT KITTY DARE’S WINDERLEA WINE DINNER

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/15/24

Exclusive Six Course Dinner with Wine Pairings from Winderlea Vineyard & Winery 

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 6:30 pm

Nestled in the heart of Inman Park, Kitty Dare, renowned for its extensive wine program, is hosting a six-course wine dinner in collaboration with Winderlea Vineyard & Winery on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Winderlea Winery, an Oregon-based winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines, will provide six pairings to complement Chef Guiseppe Esposito’s vibrant Mediterranean fare including dishes such as harissa and red pepper risotto with seared scallops and dill, swordfish steak with lemon capers and shallot butter, freshly made focaccia and much more. Winery owners Bill Sweat and Donna Morris will be in attendance to guide guests through each pairing and showcase Winderlea’s exceptional selection. With the first glass being poured at 6:30 p.m., guests will be greeted with a 2020 Sparkling Blanc des Noirs, followed by an evening of silky Pinots and buttery Chardonnay. Kitty Dare’s Winderlea Wine Dinner is $100 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Guests can reserve their spot by calling Kitty Dare at (404) 228-1566. Kitty Dare is located at 1029 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.kittydare.com or call (404) 228-1566. Stay connected on Instagram at @kittydareatl.