COBB ARTS VIBE

The Cobb Arts VIBE, or Visionaries Imagining Bold Experiences, is an initiative founded by Cobb Travel & Tourism in 2018 that connects stakeholders across the performing, visual and cultural heritage arts. Together, we strengthen the arts community and connect visitors and residents alike to all the art-related experiences Cobb has to offer.

With the pandemic shutting down most indoor venues in 2020 and 2021, VIBE members leaned on each other to create innovative ways to keep business going and connect to their audiences, from virtual to drive-in to in-person with-a-twist performances.

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra performed the world premiere of Nicole Chamberlain’s “Hit the Bricks” outside The Brickyard on Church Street in Marietta, as well as conducted multiple virtual performances.

GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Ballet fans were treated to drive-in performances of “The Nutcracker” by the Atlanta Ballet at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and the Georgia Ballet at the Aviation History & Technology Center.

ATLANTA BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER*

The Marietta Arts Council hosted the M2R TrailFest, a curated collection of fine art, photography, sculpture, live performance and mural exhibits that were displayed at various locations across Cobb.

COBB ARTS VIBE MEMBERS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THE ARTS

Andy Gaines, general manager of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, said that having the Cobb Arts VIBE community already connected and engaged helped, not just the Strand, but other member organizations survive pandemic closures. Colleagues offered not just a sympathetic ear but ideas, advice and help as groups worked together through problems and challenges.

The Strand spent the first part of the year staging dozens of virtual performances, from classic movies to 20th century vaudeville shows, as well as more than 200 private events. It withstood the pandemic and opened its doors to the public in July with a Rolling Stones tribute band. The Strand made a commitment to keeping all its staff and, in return, staff from all departments poured drinks, ran movies, pushed mops and did whatever they could to keep the doors open.

“When you rely on each other during hard times, those relationships are forged in fire - We’ve lived through something together. People are coming back stronger than before in ways they never thought possible. The Strand wouldn’t be where it is now if we hadn’t had those relationships with other VIBE members and the community.” – Andy Gaines, General Manager, Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre

EARL AND RACHEL SMITH STRAND THEATRE