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Not-too-big arts fest set in Piedmont Park
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This news ought to set off a fresh round of teeth gnashing among the organizers of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Atlanta Pride Festival. The second annual Atlanta Arts Festival has been given the green light to set up shop in Piedmont Park on Sept. 12, 13 and 14.
As most Atlantans will recall, the city announced early this year that all Class A festivals (events that attract more than 50,000 attendees) had to be relocated away from Piedmont Park, due to the drought restrictions. As a result, both the Dogwood Festival and Pride celebration suffered significant financial losses when they moved to other locations this year. Last month, Pride’s executive director and festival director resigned as a result.
“We’re a high-end art show,” Atlanta Arts Festival founder Julie Tepp explained Tuesday. “We’re not out to be all things to all people.”
Another thing working in the festival’s favor? Like the annual AIDS Walk Atlanta, set to step off from the park Oct. 19, the festival’s scheduled 200 participating artists are setting up on the park’s hardscape areas. According to Tepp, last year’s arts festival drew “significantly less than 20,000 attendees.”
Still, Tepp is sympathetic to the ousted festivals jettisoned from the grounds this year.
“It’s tragic for them,” she says. “Hopefully, the city will be able to review the drought restrictions so that next year everyone can return to the space.”
Buckhead Coalition president Sam Massell was encouraged by the announcement. Longtime Atlantans will remember that Massell was so pro-public parks during his term as Atlanta mayor that he ordered all “Stay Off The Grass” signs removed from the public spaces in 1970.
“The current situation is unfortunate to be sure,” Massell told us. “Our parks should not be exclusive to any one group or limited in use in any way. If you’ve got to dig a well, do it. Find a way. Hopefully, the rain will return and we can move forward. But there’s a higher power who controls that!”
JOHNS: FRIENDS AND FINGERS
Former Buckhead resident Michael Johns turned the Gwinnett Arena stop of the “Pop Tarts American Idols Live” tour into a big homecoming. After the concert Monday, he invited more than 100 of his Atlanta friends backstage to toast his success.
In his brief sojourn in metro Atlanta, he had a few hours to spare Monday morning to hang out with his old buddies from his CJ’s Landing days, taking in a lunch at Zaxby’s. “I love those chicken fingers!” he said.
Johns, who hopes to have an album out early next year, said he’s working with the likes of Diane Warren and Andrew Farriss of INXS. “I can’t believe producers of this caliber are returning my calls!” he told Buzz.
He hopes to migrate back to Atlanta from Los Angeles within two years. “I love the South!” he said. “I can’t wait to move back here.”
After the tour is over, he’ll be visiting, possibly twice in one month. He’s already committed to singing at the Pep Boys 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Oct. 25 and is hoping to get involved with Elton John’s tennis charity event at Kennesaw State Oct. 12.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
News anchor Connie Chung (right) is 62. Singer Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin is 60. Singer Doug Fieger of The Knack is 56. Singer-songwriter John Hiatt is 56. “Today” show weatherman Al Roker is 54. Guitarist Brad Avery of Third Day is 37.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Part of my life is kept to myself. I’m able to relax and be with my friends. Those pretty much are the only people who really know the answer to that question.”
Eight-time Beijing Olympics gold medalist Michael Phelps on whether he’s currently single during an interview with “Extra.”
Contributing: Meridith Ford, Rodney Ho and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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