Atlanta Jazz Festival | Atlanta, GA
Usually held for several weeks in mid-May and ending Memorial Day weekend, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is arguably the largest FREE jazz festival in the country, if not the world, featuring top entertainers, an artist market, and children’s activities. Past performers include Stanley Jordan, Max Roach and Nancy Wilson.
Performances are held at various locations throughout Atlanta including: Woodruff Park, Centennial Olympic Park, Underground Atlanta, Churchill Grounds, Piedmont and more. Visit the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s official website for more information.
Bronner Bros. International Hair Show | Atlanta, GA
2009 Bronner Bros. International Hair Show, February 21-24, 2009
The many styles, colors and textures of African American hair will again be on full display at the annual Bronner Brothers International Hair Show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. One of the largest international hair trade shows in the North America, the event attracts thousands of hair professionals from around the world to learn more about the latest trends in black hair care, styling and fashion. One of the highpoints of the event is a hairdressing competition that literally must be seen to be believed.
In honor of the big annual event that is the Bronner Brothers Hair Show, the AJC thought it would be fitting to have a little interactive game where users could put different hairstyles on local celebrities. Check it out.
Bronner Brothers International Hair Show
Georgia World Congress Center
285 International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Official Website
Map & Driving Directions
Blind Willies | Atlanta, GA
Though it’s small in size, Blind Willie’s is large in classic blues club ambience. From the smoky interior to the hot licks generated on the postage stamp sized stage, it is the kind of place where the blues was meant to be played and heard. Although located in the tres trendy Virginia Highland neighborhood, this club is the reincarnation of the juke joints and roadhouses where the music was born. Arguably one of Atlanta’s finest blues bars, Willie’s features live blues nightly from around the country, but local bands are part of the scene as well. The place is often packed Monday through Saturday, so arrive early. Reservations are not accepted.
This club is named after “Blind” Willie McTell, one of the most accomplished guitarists and lyrical storytellers in Blues history. Born in 1901 in Thomson, Georgia, Blind Willie lost his sight in late childhood, yet recorded over 150 songs between 1927 and 1956, including such blues tunes as “Statesboro Blues” and “Broke Down Engine Blues.” A blues festival in McTell’s honor is held annually in his home town of Thomson.
Blind Willie’s
Address: 828 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: (404) 873-2583
Website: http://www.blindwilliesblues.com/
Map & Driving Directions
Sweet Auburn Bread Company | Atlanta, GA
Located in the heart of Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue, Sonja Jones’s Sweet Auburn Bread Company is a small batch from scratch bakery serving homey, southern-inspired desserts, breads and pastries. Home of the Sweet Potato Cheesecake … fit for a President. We love the German Chocolate and Red Velet cake too! If you can’t make the trip to Atlanta, you can mail order some of these treats from the website
Sweet Auburn Bread Company
Address: 234 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-221-1157
Official Website: www.sweetauburnbread.com
Map & Driving Directions
Atlanta Life Insurance Co. Building | Atlanta, GA
Established 1905 by Alonzo Herndon, a prosperous black barber and entrepreneur who rose from slavery to become the wealthiest African American in Atlanta, the Atlanta Life Company was one of three financial institutions, all headquartered in the Sweet Auburn district, that served the black middle class in Atlanta before the civil rights movement. As one of the largest Black financial institutions in not only the South but the nation during the Jim Crow era, Atlanta Life and its subsidiaries offered Atlanta’s African American community not only low cost insurance and home mortgages, but also a significant career alternative to teaching and the ministry. Located in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Historical District, the original building and the neighboring annex (pictured above) housed the Atlanta Life Insurance Company from 1936-1980.
Photo: Vintage Post Card (with text) of the Atlanta Life Insurance Building
Atlanta Life Insurance Company
Address: 142-148 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: N/A
Official Website: N/a
Map & Driving Directions
