The Fox Theatre pushes back Marquee Club opening

by Encore Atlanta

The completed rooftop will look much like this and overlook the Fox Theatre marquee. Photo: Fox Theatre

Almost exactly a year ago, the Fox Theatre announced plans for a 10,000-ft. expansion featuring a rooftop terrace and generous event space. Word then was that the space — named the Marquee Club — would open this fall.

Photo: Michael Portman

This week, that grand opening was pushed back to early 2018. The reason: Surprises encountered when design and construction crews began digging into an 88-year-old building.

“We anticipated challenges once we began construction,” Fox president and CEO Allan C. Vella said in a news release. Fox officials hope to be able to set a firm 2018 opening date soon.

The theater will reach out to anyone who has purchased a Marquee membership (annual, corporate or individual) and offer exclusive previews in the months before it opens, the statement said. Memberships are still available at 404.881.2127. Prices, which were set for 2017 and may change, are:

• Corporate annual: $12,000.
• Noncorporate annual: $3,000.
• Broadway in Atlanta subscriber annual: $500 for six shows. The rate may go up or down depending on the number of shows booked.

The Marquee also plans to offer limited per-event access based on availability.

The main level of the Marquis Club (clockwise, from left); another view of the outdoor terrace; and the mezzanine level of the club. Photos: Fox Theatre

The members-only club will include a 4,000-sq. ft. rooftop terrace under the night sky and overlooking Peachtree Street, plus some 6,000 square feet of indoor event space. All of this, the most significant expansion in the theater’s history, will continue the venue’s Moroccan-style decor.

The rooftop terrace will feature a combination of indoor, solarium and outdoor spaces for climate-controlled, cooled or fully outdoor spaces. Each will have its own bar. Members will be able to use the lounge/terrace before and after events and during intermission. Other perks include:

• The ability to buy tickets before the general public.
• A dedicated ticketing concierge.
• Self-parking in a dedicated lot.
• Private entry 90 minutes before show time.
• Complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
• Access to five bars.
• Private restrooms.
• The ability to pre-order drinks, desserts and coffee for intermission.

Lord Aeck Sargent, an award-winning Atlanta architectural firm that specializes in conserving and preserving historic venues, is leading the renovation. Its previous projects include Language Hall at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center in Buford, the mixed-use Berkshire Terminus in Buckhead and Parkmobile Corporate Headquarters in Midtown.

The 4,665-seat Fox, which hosts some 250 performances a year, is home to the Broadway in Atlanta series of touring theater productions, Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker and the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival. It’s a regular stop for dance companies, children’s shows, comedians — Louis CK, Mike Epps, George Lopez — and such musicians as Ringo Starr, John Prine and Widespread Panic. These events attract more than 500,000 patrons a each year.

The Fox also is a popular site for wedding receptions, trade shows, corporate meetings and association functions.

fashionado

ATANTA PRIDE PARADE 2017

Atlanta Pride presented a 3-hour parade on Sunday October, 15. The slideshow features highlights of the parade.

fashionado

Revenge of the 80s: The Best Halloween Party in Town

Alright Valley girls and Valley boys, New Wavers and Preppies - you shaped the 1980s, literally - with your big hair and shoulder pads - so on Saturday, October 21, the night is yours for the taking, OPEN BAR included! So c'mon pretty kids in America, you're not like virgins anymore, come out, dance and drink with us - all in support of Jerusalem House, an organization that provides continuum housing and supportive services for homeless and low-income individuals, families, and children affected by HIV/AIDS. 

Revenge of the 80s will put the totally in fabulous, especially with its famous/infamous costume contest - CASH prizes and once again, yours truly is a judge!

For all things Jerusalem House, visit their website AND for Revenge of the 80s party info, tickets & VIP visit HERE!

So like we better, like OMG,  see you at the like, most totally bitchin' Halloween party of the season on like Oct. 21 - after all, girls just wanna have fun so hit us with your best shot!  

Photos by Dan Lax courtesy of Jerusalem House.

fashionado

Handbags born of theater, and necessity

by Encore Atlanta

Scenery bags are limited-edition, one-of-a-kind clutch purses made from recycle theatrical drops.

THERE’S A STORY behind these bags — of upcycling, fashion, theater and giving back.

Jen Kahn and a carload of discarded drops.

It’s also the story of Jen Kahn and how her company Scenery came to be.

In 2015, Kahn and a friend road-tripped from New York to Maine. They browsed in a store selling handbags made from old sails.

She and her friend had an aha! moment.

Kahn, a professional stage manager, started Scenery and now collects discarded or retired backdrops from all over the country. A Florida factory cuts and stitches them into simple, rectangular clutches. A portion of the proceeds helps take New York kids to see theater.

“The only thing more sad than closing a show is watching it get thrown out,” Kahn says. “I can’t stop shows from closing, but I can help their story live on and, in doing so, continue to give the gift of theater to many more.” 

Scenery bags tagline: Take the Story With You.

Scenery bags ($30) are limited-edition, one-of-a-kind pieces. Inside each is a label identifying its show of origin.

The inaugural batch came from The Desert Song, a 1926 operetta about Moroccans fighting French colonial rule.

Drops from productions of Hairspray and Oklahoma! are next. The bags can be pre-ordered from the website. Doing so gives you a number and a place in line. When your number is reached, you can choose from either of two drops or defer to the next round.

Scenery bags went live online July 5 and sold out in 48 hours, making enough money to send 10 kids to shows through the Theatre Development Fund’s Stage Doors program. To date, it has recyled some 900 pounds of drops.

Kahn and her company are committed to introducing a new generation of storytellers to theater. And, she says, “taking what would have been trash and making it into immeasurable treasure.”

fashionado

AJC Decatur Book Festival Presents EQUALLY WED: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR PLANNING YOUR LGBTQ+ WEDDING

Wedding planning is notoriously costly and arduous, especially for couples who are breaking the traditional mold. Kirsten Palladino presents a fun, elegant, comprehensive, and gender-neutral guide to creating an inspired wedding.

Join us this Sunday at the AJC Decatur Book Festival from 2:30-3:15PM at the Marriott Conference Center Auditorium for a discussion with Equally Wed's Kirsten Palladino. 

I'll be moderating the discussion and I have so many questions prepared for Kirsten! Of course, there'll be room for audience Q&A... so don't be shy and ask away! 

Kirsten Palladino is an award-winning editor and writer, and the co-founder of EquallyWed.com. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including The Knot, Huffington Post, and Glamour. She lives in Atlanta.

So... if you are thinking about getting married or have friends thinking about tying the gay knot, bring them and join us this Sunday for THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR PLANNING YOUR LGBTQ+ WEDDING!

For more information about the AJC Decatur Book Festival and to see the full schedule,  Click Here! 

ABOUT Equally Wed: Equally Wed is the world's leading digital wedding and honeymoon magazine and social community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied couples. We offer a modern, elegant and unique guide to gay wedding planning, from ring shopping and proposing to tying the knot and living happily ever after—and everything in between. Engaged couples can plan their weddings using our comprehensive suite of wedding planning tools, including a guest list manager, a budget manager and an extensive interactive to-do list. Fresh and innovative, equallywed.com's focus on gay weddings offers a closer look into Real Weddings around the world, as well as engagement stories, a socially interactive community and Local Resources, a vetted marketplace rich with gay-friendly wedding vendors.

fashionado

Park Tavern Hosts The Ultimate Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

On Monday, August 21, 2017, stargazers are invited to witness the first solar eclipse viewable since 1984 by joining the fun at Park Tavern’s Solar Eclipse Viewing Party beginning at 12:30 p.m. Overlooking the Midtown skyline and Piedmont Park, revelers can rock out to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon album while sipping on frosty summer beers and cocktails such as the Shakey Mule and the BlueBerry Farm Mule, Moon Pie Drop Shots and more. As a special giveaway, the first 100 guests to purchase a Blue Moon beer, Moon Pie Drop Shot or Fugu Vodka cocktail will receive a complimentary pair of NASA, ISO-approved solar eclipse glasses and a signature Park Tavern souvenir cup. Of course, hungry partygoers can nosh on local favorites including burgers, tacos, salads and sandwiches sushi and more when the kitchen opens at 4:30 p.m. This event is free to attend. For more information, visit www.parktavern.com or call 404.249.0001.  

fashionado

End of Summer Doggie Mingle on the Patio Benefitting Doggies on the Catwalk

Dog lovers and their four-legged pals are invited to join Hampton + Hudson on Sunday, August 20, 2017, for the monthly Doggie Mingle on the patio benefiting Doggies on the Catwalk, a local nonprofit and annual fashion fundraiser that pairs philanthropic influencers and celebrities with Canine Assistants service dogs in a runway show. 

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., guests and their furry friends are invited to relax on Hampton + Hudson’s expansive patio, while an on-site caricature artist provides entertainment, and attendees that donate $5 or more to Doggies on the Catwalk have the chance to receive a complimentary drawing.

Thirsty pooches looking to cool off from the Atlanta heat can take advantage of a small doggie pool, and of course, Executive Chef Savannah Sasser will be serving her homemade dog treats for hungry pooches as well.

Proceeds from the dog treats, $3 SweetWater IPA draft beers and $5 Tito’s Puppy Love signature cocktail will be donated to the beneficiary.

The event is free to attend. For more information visit www.hamptonandhudson.com.

fashionado