Live at the Rialto, Photo courtesy of the Rialto Center
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The Rialto Center Overcomes Challenges to Celebrate 105 Years with its First Virtual Gala
he Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University opened in 1916 as Atlanta’s first and the southeast’s largest movie theater. This spring the Rialto celebrates its 105-year anniversary with a virtual extravaganza — Live at the Rialto: The Gala. During the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest last spring, it was hardly the time to celebrate. The Rialto, like many organizations, was shuttered. But the Rialto Center, committed to serving local artists and the community even during challenging times, sought new ways to engage audiences beyond the confines of brick and mortar, to serve as a beacon of hope and source of solace. With no budget and reduced staff, the Rialto launched free virtual performances to provide levity during the difficult times. Since last spring, the Rialto has presented 59 free virtual events on a regular basis. Signature programs were livestreamed
including 14 monthly Feed Your Senses lunch and learn performances, and five Live at the Rialto performances featuring Russell Gunn and the Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Kevin Bales’ Beyond the Neighborhood: The Music of Fred Rogers, two performances of “Silver Linings” presented by the Atlanta Ballet, and Kathleen Bertrand’s “Sisters In Song”. There were also new offerings — Rialto Replays of five Rialto Series performances, 30 Rialto Homegrown Artists Series performances shared by local artists from their homes. The Rialto partnered with GSUTV to produce five episodes of Crucial Conversations, a televised series of civil, nonpartisan discussions on racial equity and reconciliation. Live at the Rialto: The Gala is a celebration of another year standing at the corner of Luckie and Forsyth Streets, overcoming challenges and looking ahead to the coming season. As its doors remain closed to the public, the Rialto needs the continued support of the community to bridge the gap from spring to fall in hopes of lighting the marquee and opening their doors again. The Gala will feature a nostalgic celebration of the 105-year anniversary, the best of 2019-20 season performances, special interviews and tributes from fans, artists and friends, plus silent and live auctions. For more information call 404-413-9849 or visit The Gala website at BidPal.net/RialtoGala2021.
Dr. Rainbow’s Infinity Mirror, Photo courtesy of the Rialto Center
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