Category: Atlanta, Georgia Local News

Located less than a five-minute drive from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a mixed-use development called Abrams Fixtures promises lofts, offices, and of course, restaurants. One of the first eateries to be announced is Ryokou Omakase, slated to open this summer. Ryokou means journey or trip in Japanese, and that is exactly what chef Paul Gutting wants diners to do when they visit. Currently a chef at Leonard Yu’s Omakase Table, Gutting will lead this sister spot, serving a 10-12-course tasting concentrated on Japanese small plates. (At Omakase Table, the 20 courses primarily highlight nigiri.)

“This will be a smaller, more curated menu,” Gutting says. “I’m visiting each region to find [items] that go with dishes we want to make.”

For example, Hokkaido is known for its seafood, so Ryokou may serve a lobster consommé with uni to represent the region. Gutting is considering a kaiseki course with pickled vegetables to symbolize Kyoto. Expect a multi-course traditional Wagashi dessert that uses ingredients from all over Japan—a culmination of the journey. The menu will change seasonally. The Aomori prefecture is known for its apples, which harvest in the fall, so Gutting says he may incorporate them into a dish at that time.

“Omakase means chef’s choice or recommendation. In Japan, you can get that in almost any restaurant. In America it usually means a sushi-focused, coursed menu,” Gutting explains. “There are a lot of Japanese fish people don’t know about. Places like Mujo have worked to bring a lot of the distributors [to Atlanta] so we can more easily get the ingredients we need to make really high quality omakase.”

At 11 seats, Ryokou will be smaller than Omakase Table. Diners will eat at the bar, and reservations will be required. The space will be modern with Hinoki wood and a green onyx bar top. There will be a handful of wines and select Japanese-inspired cocktails. Sake will be the center of the beverage program, with pairings available for every course.

“I hope people look forward to the journey,” Gutting says. “I want Ryokou to be its own standalone restaurant, not an extension of Omakase Table.”

Omakase Table opened on the Westside in 2022. A new location in Buckhead is in the works, designed to give each of the two chefs their own separate room and sushi counter. A third room may offer small plates. According to Gutting, the Westside location could be turned into a more accessible omakase restaurant.

Advertisement

Dutch Masters at the High
When: Opens Friday, April 19
Where: High Museum of Art
Cost: Free for members, $15 for “not-yet-members”
Details: This sweeping exhibit includes a breathtaking array of work from some of the finest painters of the Dutch cultural heyday of the eighteenth and nineteenth century, including Rembrandt, Frans Hal, and the celebrated female Dutch painter Rachel Ruysch. “Dutch Art in a Global Age” will be open through July, but stop by this weekend to get the first glimpse of this prodigious show.

EAV Earth Day Fest 
When: Saturday April 20, 12-5 p.m.
Where: EAV Community Park
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate Earth Day in laid-back East Atlanta Village style with this free concert and pop-up market in the park. There will be live music from a host of local bands, a local makers market, and a plant swap. Enjoy tasty snacks in the grilled-cheese zone and make crafts with recycled materials. The event kicks off with yoga in the park: attendance is free, but sign up for a spot beforehand.

Kids Day at CHaRM Atlanta
When: Saturday, April 20, 9-12 p.m.
Where: New location of Center for Hard to Recycle Materials, Decatur
Cost: Free
Details: Help your kids celebrate Earth Day with this festival at CHaRM! The free event is bursting with activities for kids, including a petting zoo, a toy car-building workshop, a live observation beehive and honey samples, and science experiments and crafts galore. This event is at CHaRM’s new location in Decatur; the website has directions to the new location.

Sweetwater 420 Fest
When: Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21
Where: Pullman Yards
Cost: Free with $10 donation
Details: The Atlanta-based beer company celebrates its most popular brew with a two-day music and beer festival at Pullman Yards. The scaled-down party still includes a killer lineup, featuring St. Paul & the Broken Bones and Grace Potter on Saturday night and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Big Gigantic on Sunday. The concert is free with a  $10 donation to Waterkeeper Alliance, which advocates for clean and abundant water worldwide.

Lewis Black Live on Tour
When: Sunday, April 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Buckhead Theatere
Cost: $100+
Details: Legendary comedian and self-professed loudmouth Lewis Black says this is his last tour, and you can catch it at the Buckhead Theatere this weekend. The two-time Grammy Award winner uses his signature style—lots of yelling and finger-pointing—to make incisive points about the strange world we live in. Ticket purchase requires joining Black’s fan club.

Bonus Event: Atlanta Magazine’s GrillFest 
When: Saturday, April 20, 1-6 p.m.
Where: Union Hill Park, Alpharetta
Cost: $65 General Admission
Details: Join us for a welcome-summer event featuring grilled foods, local beer and craft cocktails, and live music! Meat-eaters and vegetarians alike will find plenty to snack on, courtesy of a diverse array of local chefs and partner restaurants. This 21+ event features delicious barbecue from Taylor’d BBQ, DAS BBQ, Socks’ Love BBQ, Mutt & Jeff’s Smokehouse No. 3, Farm Burger, and many more.

Sports Corner: Atlanta Home Games

• The Braves host the World Series Champion Texas Rangers at home for a three-match bout on April 19, 20, and 21st. Info here.
• Atlanta United takes on Cincinnati FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20. Info here.

Advertisement

NBA legend Chris Webber recently released his new memoir “By God’s Grace.” In an exclusive interview with Real Times Media, Webber discusses the impact of Fab Five, backlash aimed at Angel Reese, hip-hop’s influence in sports, and his  NBA career.

Webber sits down with Executive Editor A.R. Shaw at iHeart Studios in Atlanta.

Watch exclusive video below:

About Post Author

Ceelo Green has decided to honor legendary music executive Rico Wade in a unique way. Days after it was announced that Wade passed, Green decided to purchase an old home that Wade lived in following the success of OutKast and Goodie Mob. 

The home located off of Cascade Road in Atlanta, was known as “The White House.” It was the home Wade moved to after leaving his mother’s home in the Lakewood community where the famous “Dungeon” was located. 

At the “White House,” Wade and other members of the Dungeon Family would make music and host parties, including a picnic that was featured attendees such as The Notorious B.I.G. 

Wade would eventually move from the “The White House” into a more quaint home to settle with his family. Green researched the home and realized it was for sale. 

Green continued, “One day soon it will be a museum, archiving our rich musical history. You’ll be the first to know … and if you’re ever in Atlanta on the southside, come see us sometime and we will take good care of you, the way Father took care of us.”

In 2019, Big Boi of OutKast purchased the old home owned Wade’s mother where the original “Dungeon” existed in a crawl space. Big Boi renovated the home and hosted events and AirBnB stays at the location. 

Wade passed last week at age 52. 

About Post Author

Planning a special event in Atlanta? Whether you’re envisioning an intimate corporate gathering, a grand wedding celebration, or an electrifying gala, AFR Furniture Rental can be your partner in creating an unforgettable experience. With a vast inventory of stylish furniture, advanced design capabilities like custom branding, and a team of dedicated event professionals by your side, AFR offers a comprehensive solution to elevate your event from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Experience You Can Trust 

AFR isn’t new to the event scene. They boast a rich history of over 45 years, crafting exceptional furniture rentals for events nationwide. This translates into a wealth of knowledge and a keen understanding of your needs, regardless of the size or theme of your event. Their seasoned professionals have tackled everything from small corporate meetings to large-scale exhibitions, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for every client. 

Unleash Your Creativity: A Diverse Furniture Collection 

Imagine transforming your Atlanta venue with AFR’s exquisite collection of stylish furniture. Go beyond the expected with their diverse offerings that cater to a wide range of aesthetics. Envision sleek sofas and statement chairs creating conversation areas, or arrange a collection of unique tables to set the stage for a delicious catered meal. AFR’s inventory extends far beyond seating, encompassing executive furnishings ideal for corporate meetings and beautiful display pieces that add a touch of sophistication to any event. With such a vast selection, you can create a cohesive and impactful environment that perfectly reflects your vision. 

Personalized Touches: Make Your Event Unique 

Want to create a truly unforgettable event that leaves a lasting impression? AFR goes beyond simply providing furniture rentals. They offer custom branding services, allowing you to personalize the furniture itself and elevate your event to a whole new level. Their design team can weave your brand identity into the very fabric of the event by incorporating your logo, signature colors, or even personalized messages onto furniture pieces. This unique service allows you to craft a distinctive ambiance that resonates with your guests and sets your event apart from the rest. 

The VIP Treatment: A Stress-Free Experience 

Planning an event can be overwhelming, but with AFR, you can relax and focus on the bigger picture. Their dedicated account executives take a personalized approach, working closely with you from the very beginning to understand your specific needs and preferences. They’ll guide you through the entire process, from selecting the perfect furniture pieces to coordinating flawless delivery and setup. AFR ensures every detail is meticulously handled, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your event with complete peace of mind. Their VIP service guarantees a stress-free and successful execution, every single time. 

Atlanta’s Local Partner 

As a national company with a strong local presence, AFR understands the unique style and preferences of Atlanta’s event scene. Connect with your local AFR representative today to explore their extensive furniture collection and discuss custom branding options tailored to resonate with Atlanta’s distinct flair. Let their team of experts guide you in creating a truly unforgettable event that reflects your vision and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. 

Beyond Special Events: AFR Caters to All Your Needs 

While AFR excels in creating exceptional special event experiences, their expertise extends far beyond weddings and galas. Are you organizing a corporate meeting, trade show, or conference? AFR has you covered. They offer a deep catalog of high-quality furniture, accessories, and displays specifically designed to enhance your trade show booths, exhibit displays, or conference venues. With advanced 3D space planning capabilities, user-friendly online ordering, and expert client support, AFR ensures a smooth and successful experience for every event type. 

Don’t settle for the ordinary – elevate your next Atlanta event with AFR Furniture Rental. Contact your local representative today and discover how AFR can transform your vision into a reality! 

Browse AFR’s extensive furniture collection and discover countless event ideas online at afrevents.com. Get inspired on their social media pages – follow AFR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest products, design ideas, and a glimpse into unforgettable events. And to truly experience AFR’s vision, visit their brand new Atlanta showroom location at 1700 Executive Drive S, Suite 500 in Duluth, GA.

Advertisement

The 30,000 homes John Wieland has built in neighborhoods all over Atlanta will always be his legacy to the city, but now he has something more personal for us all. Wieland’s private collection of art is now on display at his art museum, the Warehouse, which opened to the public on April 13. The facility, located at 1643 Chattahoochee Avenue Northwest, will continue with monthly open houses—free with an advance reservation—on the second Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. As a relevant theme to the museum, all 400 pieces of art relate to the concept of house and home.

Wieland grew up interested in art, partially inspired by his hometown Cleveland’s impressive art museum. Around the 1980s, when he and his late wife Sue were living in Atlanta and started collecting art, Wieland said to himself, “Why am I struggling with what to collect? I build homes.” The idea of home as a refuge, an escape, and a reflection of our society is a big motif, so his collection is also ambitious, with paintings, sculpture, videos, fiber art, and ceramics that reflect the cozy side of home life, but also broader social issues. Everyone should have a home, Wieland believes, a reason he is heavily involved with Habitat for Humanity.

Photograph by Mike Jensen/The Warehouse

The 39,000-square-foot facility houses works of art from all over the world, including pieces by such notable artists as Roy Lichtenstein, Radcliffe Bailey, and Howard Finster. Rooms in the museum are divided by themes that relate to home, such as makeshift houses or subdivisions. Large-scale installations are striking, and 3-D pieces intriguing to walk around, but some of the compilations of multiple images are equally thought-provoking. A series of New York Times-commissioned photos by Gregory Crewdson, for instance, have a cinematic approach: he invited well-known actors such as Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and William H. Macy to pose at the same modest ranch house, but with each photo portraying a dramatic tale.

Wieland bought the property in Atlanta’s Westside in 2010, converting a former furniture store into a storage facility. Its renovations in 2023 made it a full-fledged museum, with offices, a video theater, and lounge areas. Philip Verre, formerly chief operating officer for the High Museum of Art, is the director at the Warehouse, with John Wieland’s son Jack serving as curator.

Photograph by Mike Jensen/The Warehouse

Photograph by Mike Jensen

Courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York.

As for John Wieland’s role in Atlanta neighborhoods, he might be most well-known for welcoming subdivisions, with brick family homes dotted around cul-de-sacs and neighborhood pools. In recent years, however, his firm JW Collection Homes has focused on higher-density communities—such as One Museum Place, across from the High Museum—that are walkable places to live near city centers.

Is Wieland himself an artist? “No, my form of art is architecture,” he says. “But we aspire to be part of the Atlanta arts ecosystem with this museum.”

Advertisement

Here’s what I packed in my car on a recent Saturday morning: 17 cans of paint, 8 propane canisters, 2 old iPads, a Medusa tangle of electrical cords, and a bag stuffed so full with bags it had to sit buckled into the passenger’s seat. “Can you take this too?” my wife asked, thrusting some kind of enormous Geiger counter into my arms, another technological casualty of her rainy field season in Costa Rica. I took it, and so did CHaRM: When I left the facility, my car was empty, and I was filled with the kind of blissful, civic-minded satisfaction found only at the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.

CHaRM, located near Grant Park, is run by the nonprofit Live Thrive. Founder and executive director Peggy Ratcliffe got the idea after her parents passed away, when cleaning out their house produced a mountain of stuff, not all of which could be thrown away or recycled through city collection. Her organization opened a permanent facility in 2015, affectionately referred to as “CHaRM.” It operates by appointment three days a week and takes almost anything you want to get rid of but don’t know how. Drop-off is free, though there’s a fee for disposing of certain items; on my last trip, I paid about $50 for recycling the paint and propane canisters.

Inside the facility, cheerful staff and volunteers direct you to various waste stations. In electronics, large tubs welcome every kind of gadget you’ve ever dreamed of chucking, like a reverse candy store for stuff-laden adults. I felt exceedingly virtuous as I dropped the iPads into the correct bin; they’d sat around our house for years, too old to be useful, too useful to be tossed in the trash. What were we supposed to do with them? We were supposed to take them to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials, of course.

Ninety-six percent of items brought to CHaRM are recycled into new uses. Tires become pothole filler; cooking oil becomes biofuel. Mattresses are donated to local nonprofits, and whatever can’t be recycled, like pesticides, is safely incinerated. Most of what we consider trash, in fact, is simply recycling in need of a place like CHaRM.

Americans are embarrassingly wasteful, comprising 4 percent of the world’s population but producing 12 percent of its garbage. We recycle a trifling amount of the trash we make. It’s not for lack of interest—survey data suggests at least 8 out of 10 Americans believe recycling is a good thing—but more a question of information and access. Municipal collection varies depending on where you live, and it can be hard to know what belongs in the blue bin. This can lead to what’s known as “wish-cycling”: tossing the wrong items in the recycling and mucking up the process. More often, it just means the trash can appeals as the path of least resistance.

In Atlanta, CHaRM makes a modest dent in the giant garbage problem: The facility rescued 5.6 million pounds of materials from landfills in 2022. (A Decatur location will open later this year.) It’s a special place, where Marie Kondo meets sustainability. Everyone is happy at CHaRM, buoyed by civic do-gooding and shedding accumulated crap.

“Doesn’t that feel so good?” exclaimed another Atlantan as we squished our bags of bags into the same plastics bin. We smiled as we walked back to our empty cars. It felt so good.

This article appears in our April 2024 issue.

Advertisement

The Atlanta Hawks’ ended the 2023-24 season with a loss to the Chicago Bulls, 131-116, in the NBA’s Play-In game. The Hawks started slow, giving up 40 points in the first quarter. 

However, the Hawks battled back in the second quarter and scored 14 straight points to make the game competitive. But in the second half, the Bulls would prove to be the better team as Coby White exploded for 42 points. 

The Hawks were led by Dejounte Murray who scored 30 points, and Trae Young who added 22 points and 10 assists. 

The Hawks finished the regular season with a 36-46 record, including seven straight losses to end the season. 

There are several burning questions as they prepare to enter the 2024-25 season. 

Will Trae and Dejounte Return?

The biggest question of the off-season will be the Hawks decision on their two star players, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. The Hawks are 55-62 since Murray joined the team. However, they also made history by becoming the first backcourt duo to average 20 points and 6 assists since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did it in 1991-92. But the biggest decision for the front office is to determine if the Hawks can find a way to win with the duo, or if it’s time to move on. 

How Will Defensive Schemes Be Addressed?

The Hawks struggled defensively the entire season. Along with giving up 42 points to Coby White in the Play-In game, the team also gave up high scoring games to Luka Doncic (73) and Malachi Flynn (50). Doncic had the highest scoring outburst of the season, and Flynn only averaged 5.2 ppg for his career. Overall, the Hawks finished ranked 26th in defense. If the team has championship goals, the lack of defense will have to be addressed. 

Will The Hawks Finally Make A Splash In Free Agency Or Trades?

The Atlanta Hawks haven’t made a significant free agent signing in years. The team signed Bogdan Bogdanovic in 2020 which proved to be a franchise-changing decision. They traded for Dejounte Murray in 2022, but gave up heavy draft capital. But there weren’t any game-changing moves made this season. In order to compete against the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks would need to add a few star veteran players via free agency or trade. 

Can The Hawks Young Players Develop Into Stars?

The Hawks have several young players who could develop into stars over the next few years, Jalen Johnson being the top candidate. Onyeka Okongwu proved to be a top defensive player in his first two years, but has yet to establish himself as a starter. A.J. Johnson was a rookie sensation, but he struggled to crack coach Quin Snyder’s lineup. And Kobe Bufkin and Mo Gueye are a few years away from having a consistent impact. The Hawks will have to determine which young players to develop or trade. 

What Happens To The Front Court?

While Jalen Johnson has proven to be a force, the Hawks will have to make tough decisions when it comes to the other front court players. Clint Capella has been serviceable for years, but is getting older. DeAndre Hunter has yet to reach his expected potential since being drafted from the University of Virginia. And Saddiq Bey has shown flashes, but has remained inconsistent. Outside of Johnson, the Hawks would need to revamp their front court to be more competitive next season. 

About Post Author

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans have grappled with the unsettling effects of inflation month after month. Consumers are seeing an uptick in prices across the board. Now, adding to that already extensive list is the cost of tuition for in and out of state students in Georgia. 

The peach states’ public colleges and universities are set to implement tuition and fee increases for the upcoming academic year. Approved by the Board of Regents, the plan entails a 2.5% hike in tuition for most in-state students, while out-of-state students will face a 5% increase. Additionally, a new rate, set 2% higher than out-of-state tuition, will apply to students from other countries.

Chancellor Sonny Perdue commended the Board of Regents for maintaining flat tuition rates across most institutions in recent years. However, he emphasized the necessity of adjusting prices to cope with rising expenses, citing inflation affecting various aspects of university operations. 

“Anybody that goes to the grocery store and the gas pump or eats out, guess what’s happened? Everybody’s paying more and the inflation has taken over on our campuses as well, from salaries to food costs to virtually everything else,” Perdue said. “It’s just like our whole economy, just because you’re university doesn’t make you immune to economic trends of inflation, and that’s what’s happened.” 

Under the approved plan, an in-state University of Georgia student taking more than six credit hours can expect their tuition to rise from $4,895 to $5,017 per semester. Meanwhile, out-of-state students will see their tuition increase to $15,136, up from $14,415. A newly established category for students from other countries will be required to pay $15,424 per semester at UGA.

These adjustments, slated to take effect in the fall of 2024, also extend to online learners. In fact, eTuition rates will increase by 2.5% for most courses, accompanied by new fees for fully online students. These students will incur a fee equivalent to their institution’s technology fee plus half of the mandatory fees.

The university system’s Chief Fiscal Officer Tracey Cook highlighted a significant uptick in fully online student enrollment, with a staggering 91% increase observed between 2019 and 2022. 

“Less students paying these fees translates into less revenues to cover expenses, and these declining revenues are occurring while institutions are experiencing increasing costs,” Cook said. “Some of those costs include, again, increased wages, competition, rising food costs, fixed and escalating debt payments on our public/private venture projects.”

Despite the tuition and fee adjustments, the university system received a budget boost from lawmakers, with a $3.39 billion allocation approved for the upcoming fiscal year—a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year. Pending approval from Gov. Brian Kemp, this budget is poised to take effect on July 1.

As students and families cope with the financial implications of these increases, universities must execute complex balancing acts to try to sustain operations, uphold academic standards, while also ensuring accessibility for all students. 

About Post Author