Atlanta Arts Icon Libby Whittemore Defies the Pandemic by Creating Social Media “Stages”
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by Holley Calmes
ibby Whittemore is The event is planned for asked, “What does December 17th and 18th. it feel like to be an Another side of this icon?” Her response is multi-talented native immediate: “I feel like a Atlantan was the result dinosaur!” of an evening’s search After 40 years of for entertainment. A few performing as Atlanta’s years ago, Whittemore official chanteuse, was flipping through a noted Hollywood television channels and comedienne, and the landed on a Hallmark inspiration for “Della’s Christmas movie. Diner” character Connie “I had never Sue Day, the word “icon” watched one of these is hardly adequate, nor movies before, but I the word “dinosaur” at watched this one. Then I Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus all applicable. watched another, and so Even though the live performing it began.” The Hallmark Channel became an venues are silent right now, Whittemore’s obsession. remarkable voice is still ringing out. If the “Confessions of a Hallmark Addict” audiences can’t come to Libby, Libby will is a series of comedy monologues which come to them. has even drawn the attention of Hallmark Whittemore and her friend, the Channel actors such as Barbara Niven, the exceptional keyboardist Robert Stickland, Queen of Hallmark’s productions. gift social media “airwaves” with a weekly In the numerous “Confessions” concert titled “Living Room Cabaret.” The two monologues, Whittemore speaks to the artists recently completed their 25th such camera as if each listener was a family event. Enthusiasm for these events, which friend, offering her enthusiasm, reviews, and happen on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. on opinions with an amount of intimacy and her her Facebook page, has been world-wide, ever-present wit. with approximately 1000 views per week. “Confessions of a Hallmark Addict” Facebook attendees have come from as far monologues are linked to her website, away as Serbia and Brazil. libbywhittemore.com/#confessions and also “These little mini-concerts are keeping her Instagram page at libbage55. me sane,” she laughs. “It’s my way to keep What will Libby do when the pandemic track which day of the week it is! And it does is over? my heart good to think I am helping others “I suppose I will be at the mercy of get through this pandemic. It’s the highlight whomever wants to hire me,” she states. of my week.” Undoubtably, the line of potential ‘bosses’ Whittemore even plans a return of her will wrap around the block leading to her famous Christmas Show, presented virtually. Buckhead door..
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