Tag Archive for: party

LOVE AT FIRST BITE: THE BLIND CUPID POP-UP EXPERIENCE IS NOW OPEN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/24/23

The Blind Pig Parlour Bar Transforms into Valentine’s-Themed Bar for Festive Dates and Girls’ Nights Out

 The Blind Pig Parlour Bar once again transforms into The Blind Cupid now through the end of February. Guests will fall head over heels for this wildly popular pop-up experience that brings Valentine’s Day-themed sizzle with a menu of swoon-worthy drinks, decadent menu snacks and over-the-top pink and floral décor.

The Buckhead speakeasy, long known for its intimate, sophisticated vibe and The Blind Elf pop-up during the holidays, restyles its Victorian-era decor to woo hopeless romantics and the lovelorn alike. The Blind Cupid offers guests the perfect place to combat winter blues, whether they are searching for an entertaining girls’ night out, Galentine’s Day celebration or a unique date night. 

The food menu boasts a variety of small plates and desserts for sharing including:

  • Cremini and shiitake mushroom bruschetta with Boursin cheese ($15)
  • Crab bites with remoulade dipping sauce ($15)
  • Steak and chicken skewers (three for $15 and $12, respectively)
  • Bacon-wrapped shrimp (four pieces for $15)
  • Lemon cookies ($4)
  • Chocolate-covered strawberries (four pieces for $8)
  • House-made beignets with fig and strawberry preserves ($6)
  • White and dark chocolate ganache board with assorted fruits and nuts ($15)

There’s a lot to love about The Blind Cupid’s cocktail menu with festive cold and hot options. Among the highlights are:

  • Sweet Tart with my Sweetheart shots with vodka, Aperol, Liquor 43 and lemon juice (two shots for $18)
  • Some Like It Hot with red jalapeño-infused Bacardi, mint, prickly pear and lemon juice ($15)
  • Love You a Latte mixing XXI Martini Espresso and Green Chartreuse ($15)
  • Say My Name with gin, lemon juice, strawberry syrup, passion fruit, soda and egg whites ($15)
  • Con Amor De Abuelita mixing mezcal, Abuelita hot chocolate and chocolate with a piloncillo rim ($15)

In January, The Blind Cupid will be open Wednesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. until late. In February, The Blind Cupid will be open seven days a week, including Galentine’s Day (Monday, Feb. 13) and Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, Feb. 14). Reservations are strongly recommended, and the festive venue may be reserved for small parties and special events any day of the week.

The Blind Cupid is located at 128 East Andrews Dr., NE in Atlanta. For more information, visit theblindpigparlourbar.com.

EVENTIDE BREWING TO HOLD 9TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/11/23

Saturday, January 28

Noon to 9pm

Grant Park’s favorite brewery is celebrating its last year in single digits with an ‘On Cloud Nine’ themed party, special release brews, entertainment and more 

On January 28, Eventide Brewing will host a celebration that’s sure to put Atlantans ‘On Cloud Nine.’ 

The anniversary party will feature three limited-edition beers on draft, including the Scarlet Zenith Bourbon Barrel-Aged Quad, Head in the Clouds Bourbon Barrel-Aged Oatmeal Stout and Cloudberry American Wheat. The Scarlet Zenith and Head in the Clouds will also be available in beer bombers for to-go purchase. 

Additionally, there will be kid-friendly activities until 4 p.m., food vendors, cotton candy, a balloon drop for prizes, live bands and karaoke into the night.

Eventide’s 9th anniversary celebration is a ticketed event with three options: general admission, fan ticket and VIP. To purchase advance tickets, visit: eventidebrewing.com/merch. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event.

For more information, please visit the Facebook event page. 

Cost:

General admission ticket: $15 –  Includes entry and two draft pours. 

Fan ticket: $35 – Includes entry, four draft pours and your choice of one anniversary beer bomber.

VIP ticket: $90 – Includes entry, unlimited draft pours and both anniversary beer bombers.

HOBNOB HALCYON GOES HOG WILD WITH SECOND ANNIVERSARY PIG ROAST

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/25/22

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is celebrating the second anniversary of its Halcyon location with a pig roast and festive party on Sunday, Oct. 2.

For $25 a person, guests can feast on eight ounces of roasted pork and an all-you-can-eat side buffet boasting mac and cheese, collard greens, and more. Tickets also secure two 16-ounce beers before 5 p.m., a take-home HOBNOB glass, two raffle tickets, and swag.

Doors open at 4 p.m. with the buffet and live music starting at 5 p.m., so guests are invited to come early to ensure a seat for the show. HOBNOB staff will give out free swag all night along with chances to win prizes through the raffle. The patio bar will serve beer, Bulleit bourbon specials, and a full bar.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased online for this exciting night.

PROST! CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST AT EVENTIDE BREWING

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/21/22

Enjoy German beer, hearty fare, games and live entertainment at Grant Park’s favorite brewery 

Noon – 9pm

Dust off your dirndl or lederhosen, and head to Eventide Brewing for Atlanta’s most popular Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 1! 

Grant Park’s favorite neighborhood brewery will have six varieties of German beer on draft, including its Dammerung pilsner and Citrus Grove hefeweizen. The celebration will also see the return of Eventide’s popular Red Headed Haley, an amber ale.   

In addition to delicious German beer, there will be plenty of authentic, mouthwatering fare, including savory meat pies from Coffyn Pyes and charcoal-grilled hot dogs and German brats from Hot Dog Pete’s.  

The day’s festivities will include a beer stein holding competition, where the champion will win $100 bar cash, as well as a best lederhosen and dirndl contest. Additionally, attendees will enjoy games such as a pretzel toss, balloon bust and more. 

Finally, there will be live music throughout the day as well as a DJ to cap off the festivities. 

Eventide Brewing’s Oktoberfest is a ticketed event with three available options, including a limited number of VIP-level tickets that come with an Eventide beer stein, unlimited draft beer and a commemorative Eventide t-shirt.

To purchase advance tickets, please visit: eventidebrewing.com/merch. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event. 

For more information on Eventide Brewing, please visit: eventidebrewing.com. 

Cost:

$20 for General Admission: includes two drink tickets and an event koozie.

$60 for Fan Admission: includes five drink tickets, a commemorative Eventide Oktoberfest t-shirt and an event koozie.

$115 for VIP Admission: includes access to a special VIP area, a beer stein and unlimited refills, a VIP bag, commemorative Eventide Oktoberfest t-shirt and event koozie.

DRAGONCON 2022: RIBBONS & T-REXES

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/14/22

Every year, DragonCon takes on a life of its own. This year was no different with fun new trends like The Loyal Order of the Ribbon, cults going strong, or massive groups like the T-Rex Horde. That’s all on top of the fantastic cosplay, Mardi Gras atmosphere, star-studded panels, meet and greets with celebrities, and nighttime parties and live performances!

The Loyal Order of the Ribbon 

A fascination for some, a necessity for others, the Loyal order of the Ribbon has taken the badge ribbon trend to a whole new level. Found in the DragonCon app, meet ups to swap ribbons happens daily, where you can find your new favorite. We found that there are a few reasons that people create ribbons like the love of a show, fandom, or favorite quotes, books, or simply to share information on a brand! At DragonCon you can grow your badge ribbons as long as you want or just wear your favorites. We saw several people roll theirs up because they would hit the floor or stand on the second floor of the Hilton and drop the ribbons into the lobby. Yes, they’re that long! Our favorite ribbons were the classic Marriott Carpet and 24601 from Les Mis. We even made a ribbon for our Instagram page so people could watch our Danny goes to DragonCon stories. What ribbon would you want if you could have anything?

T-Rex Horde

Speaking of Danny, another trend in the DragonCon universe is the blow-up T-Rex horde. There has to be at least 100 or more people that gather almost every night to go through each hotel as a T-Rex Horde! T-Rexes from the Marriott Carpetasaur, Darth Vader, Velociraptors, Unicorns all joined in on the fun. The best part is John and I both have blow-up outfits and this year we featured on our stories, Danny, a dinosaur that goes to DragonCon for the first time. He went to a panel (and the actors waved at him), the parade, met his Idol, the Marriott Carpetasaur, got a bucket of rum, went to Trader Vics, got his first Monks Mead, and so many other firsts. Then, on Sunday, we did the T-Rex running and it was a blast. You get to see the joy on people’s faces to watch a parade of T-Rexes and they take photos and videos of the entire thing!

The Cult of Jon

Don’t be fooled, the Cult of Jon is going strong since 2019. Started out as a humble FedEx cut-out, DragonCon fans adorned him with stickers and put candles around him to transform him into a cult-like leader everyone could enjoy. It is all in good fun, as this year, the Scofflaw Beer folks stationed their own cut outs around and people too out google eyes on them and stickers, some even blasted them as “false prophets.” It’s pretty entertaining to watch. What will be the next cult?

Eddie Munson

The “new Deadpool” was Eddie Munson, the loveable Hellfire Club leader from Stranger Things latest season. There were men, women and mash-ups of Eddie all over the place and they even had a huge photo meet up. There HAD to be 30,000 of them! Our favorite Eddies were the two that had a guitar and amps and we watched them have a “Master of Puppets” guitar off. It was funny. What will be the next most popular costume?

Panels

We went to two panels, Gotham with Ben McKenzie and then a Walking Dead Panel with several actors including Chandler Riggs. The highlights from Gotham included learning that Ben (Gordon) didn’t even have to audition as he was approached by the show runner, how him and Monica Baccarin (Leslie) met on the set and eventually got married, and how he never wanted to wear the Gordon mustache! Then, the highlights from The Walking Dead panel were learning how much Riggs (Carl) loved growing up on the set of the Walking Dead and how it shaped him, listening to fun blooper moments, hearing which death was the hardest, and how Katelyn (Enid) loves potatoes. You always find something fun in these panels. I will never forget the Smallville one last year where they sang their theme song.

Cosplay You have to check out our photo journal of all our favorite cosplays, bots, costumes, and moments!

TASTE BROOKHAVEN 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/31/22

Sample your way through the amazing food of Brookhaven on and explore the newly renovated space at Villa Christina,while benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

September 15th

“Taste Brookhaven” is returning to provide an evening of food, signature cocktails, and live entertainment celebrating the best of Brookhaven – more than 15 featured restaurants – while benefiting the worthy cause of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation.

“We are excited to announce that Taste Brookhaven is back and being brought to you by Explore Brookhaven,” shared Ron Eyester, executive director for the Taste Brookhaven organization. “As guests indulge in various treats being offered by our featured restaurants and chefs, they will be able to stroll through the stunning gardens and explore and appreciate the newly renovated space at Villa Christina.” Villa Christina (https://www.villachristina.com/) is a restaurant and private event space inside the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina.

This event supports Friends, the community volunteer organization of Children’s. Each year, its thousands of members throughout greater Atlanta raise funds for many essential programs to fulfill crucial needs and make an important difference in a child’s life. Proceeds from Taste Brookhaven will help meet the needs of Georgia’s rapidly growing pediatric population. Support enables Children’s to care for hundreds of thousands of patients and their families now and in the future.

“The evening promises to deliver an exceptional experience, showcasing the superior dining landscape that has evolved and developed throughout Brookhaven and its surrounding areas,” Eyester shared. “Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important and worthwhile cause. It is our sincere hope that everyone near and far will join us in supporting the 2022 Taste Brookhaven and, in turn, support this very important children’s cause.”

Tickets range from $100 to $175, of which $50 is tax deductible, and include food tastings, beer and wine. Sponsorship packages include a variety of special perks. Tickets, sponsorships and donations are available at https://give.choa.org/TasteBrookhaven.

“Taste Brookhaven” is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, September 15, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina (4000 Summit Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319).

For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Eyester at ron@tastebrookhaven.com.

DRAGON CON IS FOR FANS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/28/22

More Than 60,000 Cosplayers, Gamers, and Pop Culture Enthusiasts Return to Atlanta for

Annual Celebration of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Gaming

http://www.dragoncon.org/

Dragon Con, the internationally known science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention, returns to downtown Atlanta for Labor Day weekend, bringing with it some 60,000 pop culture fans.

Dragon Con 2022 runs from Thursday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 5 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta – and AmericasMart Buildings Two and Three.

Dragon Con attracts fans from all 50 states and several foreign countries who come to Dragon Con to meet their favorite actors, artists, authors, creators, and experts, show off their latest cosplay, make new friends, and revel in the joy that is Dragon Con.

Guests – Two members of the original Star Trek television series, William Shatner and Walter Koenig, lead a long list of celebrity guests who will appear at this year’s convention. Joining them are Emmy-nominated actor Morena Baccarin; Once Upon a Time’s Jennifer Morrison; Lauren Ridloff, Tony-nominated deaf actress from Marvel’s Eternals; and David Ramsey and Emily Bett Rickards at the head of a long list of actors representing the Arrowverse.

Other top guests from television and movies include Charmed’s Holly Marie Combs; Stargate Atlantis’ Joe Flanigan and Rachel Luttrell; Encanto’s Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, and Adassa; and The Boys’ Laz Alonso, Nathan Mitchell, and Tomer Capone; as well as voice actors Kaitlyn Robrock (Disney’s Minnie Mouse), Jim Cummings (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh), and Nolan North (Superman).

Joining Shatner and Koenig, Star Trek fans will have a chance to meet Anson Mount, Anthony Rapp, Michelle Hurd, and many other cast members from the latest installments of the beloved franchise, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Fans will also recognize guests from Georgia-filmed productions including Doom Patrol (Joivan Wade, Matthew Zuk, Riley Shanahan, and Mark Sheppard); Stargirl (Brec Bassinger, Yvette Monreal, Trae Romano, and Anjelika Washington), The Walking Dead (Chad Coleman, Laurie Holden, Katelyn Nacon, and Chandler Riggs), and Fear The Walking Dead (Lennie James and Danay Garcia).

For the MTV Generation, Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson from the cult classic movie, Flash Gordon, will be on hand. Jones played star quarterback Flash Gordon while Anderson played ally Dale Arden who helped save planet Earth from the wicked Ming the Merciless. 

Cosplay – Dragon Con is well known for the quality of its cosplay – or costume play – and that tradition will certainly continue. The nation’s top cosplayers will show off their best work during the show, participating in costume contests every night of the convention and promenading throughout the five host hotels and the streets of downtown Atlanta.

Cosplay competitions remain a mainstay of Dragon Con, including the queen of competitions, Dragon Con Masquerade, the oldest continuously-run competition in fandom, the craftsmanship-focused Friday Night Costume Contest, and the low-key and fan-voted Hallway Costume Contest.

Gaming – New this year,Dragon Con is moving a large part of its ‘round the clock gaming programming one block up and one block over, from AmericasMart Building One to Building Three.

While the move was necessary because of renovations to Building One, the new space is better laid out and quite roomy – offering nearly three acres of games and gaming, from the latest and most popular video games to rarely seen board games.

The popular Artemis Bridge Game, in which eight players man the bridge of a USS Enterprise-like starship through its galactic adventures, is also expanding. First offered in 2016, the Artemis will now have two dedicated installations to allow cooperation or head-to-head competition. 

Joystick Gamebar will once again offer a pop-up experience at 161 Peachtree Center, featuring dozens of classic American arcade games. No need for quarters, these games will be free to play for the full convention.  

Overall, Dragon Con is one of the largest gaming conventions in the nation. From the latest video games to the most popular tabletop games, plus Japanese and classic American arcade games, ‘round the clock gaming is free to Dragon Con members starting Thursday, Sept. 1 at 4 pm.

Parade – The always popular Dragon Con Parade steps off on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 10 am. After a year in which only badged Dragon Con members could attend, the parade is once again free and open to the public.

The parade route remains the same as in past years. Beginning at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue, the parade will head south on Peachtree, east (left) on Andrew Young International Boulevard and north (left) on Peachtree Center Avenue. It will end on Peachtree Center Avenue between John Portman Boulevard and Baker Street, in front of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The route is convenient to three MARTA stations – North Avenue, Civic Center, and Peachtree Center. Parking downtown is expected to be tight. Dragon Con encourages parade spectators to ride MARTA.

The 2022 parade will once again be televised and streamed live on Atlanta’s CW69 and our own DCTV. CW69’s live coverage will begin at 10 am and will remain on air through the entire parade, with a time-edited rebroadcast on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 11 p.m. 

There are a number of live streaming options. DCTV will broadcast the parade live on a closed circuit to the convention’s host hotels, with rebroadcasts throughout the weekend. Parade coverage will also be available through the Dragon Con Goes Virtual streaming app.

Official Charity – Open Hand Atlanta is Dragon Con’s official charity for 2022. Through auctions and other charity events, plus a dollar-for-dollar match up to $100,000 from Dragon Con, the convention will raise money to support this important organization.

Since 2013, the convention has consistently raised more than $100,000 for each of its annual official charities. In 2021, Dragon raised more than $140,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.

Open Hand’s mission is to help underserved individuals prevent or better manage chronic disease through tailored nutrition interventions, which include a variety of therapeutic meal plans as well as nutrition counseling and coaching delivered by an experienced team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.  With the dedicated support of over 14,000 volunteers, they currently prepare, pack, and deliver over 5,500 meals per day in Metro Atlanta and rural Georgia.

In addition to fundraising, Dragon Con conducts the largest convention-based blood drive in the nation. In 2021, some 3,000 fans donated more than 6,000 units of blood and blood products in the annual Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” blood drive, benefiting LifeSouth, which serves more than 40 hospitals in the Atlanta area and 110 hospitals in the Southeast.

TEQUILA TASTING TIME AT TWO URBAN LICKS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/28/22

Featuring Tequila Ocho, Banhez Mezcal, Featured Cocktail, Food Pairings and More
Tuesday, August 30th at 6 p.m.


It’s tequila time at TWO urban licks on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. Featuring Blanco and Reposado from Tequila Ocho and Banhez Mezcal‘s Ensamble and Joven Espadin, tequila enthusiasts are invited to gather and embark on a unique tequila-tasting journey while enjoying city views on TWO’s expansive, dog-friendly patio. Beginning at 6 p.m., imbibers are invited to explore four new tequilas along with three dishes and a specialty cocktail, the Mojitorita. Food pairings created by award-winning Executive Chef Jay Swift include Brisket Empanadas, Salmon Chips, and Pimento Chicharrons. For ages 21 and up, tickets to the tequila tasting at TWO urban licks are $50 per person. To make a reservation or for more information, visit  twourbanlicks.com or call 404.522.4622. TWO urban licks is located on the Atlanta BeltLine at 820 Ralph McGill Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30306.

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S ANNUAL HOPE BALL RETURNS SEPTEMBER 10

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/21/22

A Black-Tie Evening Including a Cocktail Hour, Silent and Live Auctions, Mission Moment, Dinner, Music and More
Hope@Night After Party Keeps the Festivities Going Into the Evening

The American Cancer Society’s annual signature gala and one of Atlanta’s premiere philanthropic events, Hope Ball, returns on Saturday, September 10 hosted at The St. Regis Atlanta. The black-tie evening brings together influential leaders in Atlanta’s social, philanthropic, and corporate communities to help fund critical cancer research and support the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. Since 2016, this evening of inspiration has raised $4.7 million supporting cancer research and the Atlanta Hope Lodge. 


ATLANTA HOPE BALL 2021 VIDEO


Hosted by WSB-TV2 anchor Wendy Corona, the soirée will begin with an elegant cocktail hour and silent auction, complemented by the sounds of the Joe Grandson Quartet. Patrons will enjoy an exquisite, multi-course dinner from Executive Chef Jordan Barnett of The St. Regis Atlanta before an exciting live auction and donation presentation. Additionally, American Cancer Society CEO Dr. Karen Knudsen will be in attendance to celebrate innovation in cancer research and a mission moment from cancer survivor Julia York and Winship Cancer Institute at Emory researcher Dr. Curtis Henry. This moment serves as a reminder of why the Atlanta community has gathered for a night of elegance. New this year, the Board of Ambassadors will host The C-Suite at Hope Ball for platinum sponsors as an opportunity before the main event to network with other top executives and strengthen business connections in the private setting of the Maisonette at St. Regis Atlanta.


The evening will continue with the Hope@Night after party. Guests can dance to DJ Era, mingle with young professionals and corporate leaders, and party with a purpose. There will be a premium open bar, late-night bites, and a 360 photo booth experience to capture the fun. Individual tickets to the Hope Ball are $750 and grant Hope@Night entry. Tickets to attend the after party are on sale now for $125. All ticket and donation options can be found at www.HopeBall.org.
Hope Ball is presented by Delta Air Lines. Funds raised at the Hope Ball benefit the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society’s mission is to free the world from cancer. They fund and conduct research, share expert information, support patients, and spread the word about prevention. 

C10S IN THE CITY – CLASSIC TRUCK SHOW THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND

C10S IN THE CITY, a classic truck show, raises money for charitable causes and brings customers to Atlanta’s growing neighborhoods.

On Sep 3, 2022, C10s in the City is returning to the Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta. This free show is expected to attract over 350 classic trucks and 700 spectators to the redeveloped area near Atlanta’s former Olympic stadium and surroundings. 

C10s in the City’s mission is to:

  1. Create a space for enthusiasts to enjoy a sense of community.
  2. Invite participants from the city, suburbs, and beyond to experience Atlanta in a new way.
  3. Drive business to shops and restaurants in Atlanta’s growing neighborhoods. 

The Pink Fund, an organization that provides financial help to breast cancer patients, is the beneficiary of the fundraiser that will take place during the show. 

Boim, a 35-year-old breast cancer survivor, is excited to include the fundraiser for the Pink Fund, schedule, saying:

“The concept for C10s in the City came to us after a very difficult year. In March 2020, Rick lost his mom, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the country was shuttered. In 2021, as businesses started opening, we decided to use our passion for classic trucks to bring people back together and drove customers to Atlanta’s struggling businesses.”

C10s in the City is free to entrants and spectators. This piece is important to Cheeseman, who says: 

“We are not here to make money. The show is all about having a great time with friends, meeting new people, and coming together for a good cause. We have no plans to ever charge people to come to C10s in the City. It’s humbling to have so many people supporting us and this show. I’m looking forward to growing this event and giving back to the community.”

The show will occur on Saturday, Sep 3, from 11 am to 5 pm beneath Atlanta’s Olympic rings in Summerhill’s C Lot, 513 Capitol Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30312. 

The neighborhood of Summerhill and Carter USA are hosting the show. Other supporters include CK Truck Magazine, United by Trucks, SQRBDY, Auto Metal Direct, Cato’s Custom Upholstery, Howe’s It Doin Garage, Hooks Detailing, Jason Mode’s New Creations, and OBS Trends.