Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 22 > Entry
Pride Fest out of park, into civic center
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Pride Festival has signed a contract to have its event over the July 4 weekend at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, festival organizer Jennifer Sheffield said Friday. The Atlanta Pride Committee paid between $60,000 to $80,000 for the space. The annual event — which usually attracts about 300,000 people — was moved out of its usual home, Piedmont Park, because of the drought.
In related news, we’re told Dogwood Festival organizers also are seeking alternatives for their annual bash. Stay tuned.
Bert’s Big Heart
Bert’s Big Adventure, which arranges trips to Disney World for chronically or terminally ill children and their families, held a Jan. 10 meet and greet for the group going next month.
Thirteen children (including Brianna Hill, 6, of Cartersville,) and their families visited with Q100’s Bert Weiss and his wife, Stacey, who established Bert’s Big Adventure as a nonprofit organization in 2002. For information see www.Berts BigAdventure.org.
Calling all talented Braves fans
If your love for baseball is eclipsed only by your impregnable self confidence, listen up. The Atlanta Braves will host open auditions at Turner Field for members of their “game entertainment teams” in coming days.
Tryouts for the Tomahawk team will be 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24. These hardy souls are “high-energy, spirited individuals with the ability to engage fans, work within a family environment and perform in front of large crowds,” according to a release. Auditions for game entertainment hosts are 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 28 and 29. These crowd pleasers “must have the ability to interact with fans in the stands and in Fan Plaza. Hosts must be comfortable performing in the spotlight in front of thousands of Braves fans at Turner Field.” For these high-profile positions, the Bravos prefer “previous emcee experience.”
And finally, tryouts for the Heavy Hitters drum line are 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31. These power players perform before, during and after Braves games at Turner Field and should be “musicians with confidence and charisma, a flexible schedule, and the ability to work games in their entirety.” Those interested in showcasing their talents should call 404-614-2441 or e-mail Braves .Entertainment@braves .com to set up an appointment. Walk ups will be auditioned first-come, first-served. More information: www.Braves.com/auditions.
Bald is beautiful
Speaking of those with robust self esteem, St. Baldrick’s, which raises money for childhood cancer research, is looking for folks to lose their locks for a great cause. The 2008 St. Baldrick’s Foundation event will be held at the new Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead, near the intersection of Buckhead Avenue and North Fulton Drive, at 2 p.m. March 15.
Volunteers round up their buddies to pay to see their pates, raising funds while razing scalps. Event organizers are Donal and Karen Fleming, Irish natives now living in Dunwoody. They became involved with St. Baldrick’s after their daughter, Ciara, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma just before turning 2. She endured 48 weeks of chemotherapy and is now a happy, healthy 8-year-old. She and her parents are ambassadors for children with cancer, volunteering their time to raise funds and promote research that will help other families like theirs.
Last year, St. Baldrick’s events in 46 states and 13 countries worldwide raised more than $12.9 million. For info, see www.stbaldricks.org, navigate to “find an event” and type in Georgia. Or call 1-888-899-2253.
Rowdy fan leaves singer in stitches
Four songs into Atlanta’s Attractive Eighties Women’s recent show at the EARL, “a mysterious female assailant” hurled her drink at front person Phoebe Cates, cutting his wrist and ending the gig, according to a post on the band’s Web site. Cates needed seven stitches but is on the mend and calls the episode “just an unfortunate drunken accident.” The band promises to schedule a makeup gig soon.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor John Hurt is 68. Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 59. Actress Diane Lane (right) is 43. Rap DJ-actor Jazzy Jeff is 43. Singer Marc Gay of Shai is 39. Actor Balthazar Getty is 33. Actor Christopher Kennedy Masterson (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 28. Singer Willa Ford is 27.
STORK REPORT
Chris Noth (above), known to “Sex in the City” fans as Mr. Big, is a father, reports E! Online. Longtime girlfriend Tara Wilson gave birth to a boy on Friday. Orion Christopher weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and everyone’s doing great.
Contributing: Chandler Brown, Jeff D’Alessio, Shane Harrison and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Permalink | |
