Libby Whittemore Creates Social Media "Stages"

Atlanta Arts Icon Libby Whittemore Defies the Pandemic by Creating Social Media “Stages”

by Holley Calmes

Libby Whittemore is asked, “What does it feel like to be an icon?” Her response is immediate: “I feel like a dinosaur!”

After 40 years of performing as Atlanta’s official chanteuse, a noted Hollywood comedienne, and the inspiration for “Della’s Diner” character Connie Sue Day, the word “icon” is hardly adequate, nor the word “dinosaur” at all applicable.

Even though the live performing venues are silent right now, Whittemore’s remarkable voice is still ringing out. If the audiences can’t come to Libby, Libby will come to them.

Whittemore and her friend, the exceptional keyboardist Robert Stickland, gift social media “airwaves” with a weekly concert titled “Living Room Cabaret.” The two artists recently completed their 25th such event. Enthusiasm for these events, which happen on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. on her Facebook page, has been world-wide, with approximately 1000 views per week. Facebook attendees have come from as far away as Serbia and Brazil.

“These little mini-concerts are keeping me sane,” she laughs. “It’s my way to keep track which day of the week it is! And it does my heart good to think I am helping others get through this pandemic. It’s the highlight of my week.”

Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Whittemore even plans a return of her famous Christmas Show, presented virtually.

The event is planned for December 17th and 18th.

Another side of this multi-talented native Atlantan was the result of an evening’s search for entertainment. A few years ago, Whittemore was flipping through television channels and landed on a Hallmark Christmas movie.

“I had never watched one of these movies before, but I watched this one. Then I watched another, and so it began.” The Hallmark Channel became an obsession.

“Confessions of a Hallmark Addict” is a series of comedy monologues which has even drawn the attention of Hallmark Channel actors such as Barbara Niven, the Queen of Hallmark’s productions.

In the numerous “Confessions” monologues, Whittemore speaks to the camera as if each listener was a family friend, offering her enthusiasm, reviews, and opinions with an amount of intimacy and her ever-present wit.

“Confessions of a Hallmark Addict” monologues are linked to her website, libbywhittemore.com/#confessions and also her Instagram page at libbage55.

What will Libby do when the pandemic is over?

“I suppose I will be at the mercy of whomever wants to hire me,” she states. Undoubtably, the line of potential ‘bosses’ will wrap around the block leading to her Buckhead door..