Paideia School welcomes community to 32nd anniversary of Art Visions

By Martha Nodar

More than 30 years ago, a passion for art and a knack for fundraising motivated a parent from the Paideia School in mapping out a vision to raise money for the school while highlighting and supporting local artists. Art Visions, the brainchild of the late Dottie McRae, has passed the test of time and it is celebrating its 32nd season this fall as a parent-run ne art and cra sale on the Paideia campus.

“Paideia is known for having parents who are very involved,” said Judy Schwarz, director of parent involvement.

“Dottie was both an involved parent and a promoter of the arts. She was an art collector and had many friends who were artists.”

Every November, the school’s practice gym is converted into an indoor art gallery where artists from both the Paideia community and the community at large exhibit their work on consignment. Geared toward kicking o the holiday-shopping season, the two-day annual event takes place before anksgiving, either the second or the third weekend in November. is year it will be open to the public on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 16 from noon to 5 p.m. omas is also a volunteer Paideia parent and one of the local artists who sell their work at the annual show. She said she loves making jewelry and answering the patrons’ questions about her cra . A percentage from all the proceeds bene ts the school’s art program.

A kids’ corner has been designed for children ages 5 and older to do collages and print cards as a way to keep them occupied while their parents may be browsing or shopping, Schwarz said.

Shondra omas, Paideia’s art teacher, said she frequently recognizes familiar faces every year. “People in the community nd out about the event through word-of-mouth,” she said.

Schwarz said that what began decades ago with just 20 local artists exhibiting their pieces has grown over the years to approximately 100 participants whose work may include paintings, drawings, jewelry, pottery, photography, collages and mixed media.

“Our event is an amazing forum for local artists to come together,” said Meghan Green, Art Visions’ co-chair. “We welcome the community to this unique creative outlet.” e Paideia School is located at 1509 Ponce de Leon Ave. For more information, visit paideiaschool.org.

Green, a Midtown resident, said she and her co-chair Robin Critz, a fellow volunteer Paideia parent, visit area galleries, festivals and art events especially in the summer looking for new talent and contacting artists.

“I am the mastermind organizer planner, and Robin is the artsy creative genius,” Green said.

Green said this year patrons may expect to nd homemade aprons, children’s accessories, homemade candles, organic products and much more.

“It is very exciting to provide the community with such a fun shopping spree,” Green said.

Visual Arts

Interiors: The works of award-winning photographers Claire Rosen, Guillermo Srodek-Hart and Steve Aishman examine the affective power of sheer presence and the inscription of cultural history at Hagedorn Foundation Gallery. Closes November 8. Free. hfgallery.org

Leaves of Grass: Photographers Steven L. Anderson and Susan Hable Smith both explore their relationship to the natural world in this first two-person exhibit at Poem 88. Closes November 8. Free. poem88.net

Builder Levy - Photography: Arnika Dawkins Gallery presents this stunning retrospective of the award-winning artists’ work over the past 50 years to the present. Closes November 22. Free. adawkinsgallery.com

Creole World: This Whitespace exhibit is a complex, multi-layered photo essay linking New Orleans, which is frequently referred to as “the northernmost Caribbean city,” with its cultural kin further south. Free. Closes November 22. whitespace814.com

Not My Enemy - People From Pakistan, Cambodia and East Ukraine: John E. Ramspott ‘s photos depict the lives of people from Pakistan, Cambodia and Ukraine, showing that life goes on despite current or past upheavals. Closes November 22. Free. stanmccollumgallery.com

Ruud van Empel - New Work: Dutch photographer Ruud van Empel’s collages and digital manipulations show the possibilities of infusing art and technology at Jackson Fine Art. Closes November 29. Free. jacksonfineart.com

Birth of a Red Planet: Pater Bahouth reworks Florence Thomas’ earlier miniature diorama photography into a ‘50s era View Master science-fiction tale at Hagedorn Foundation Gallery. Tuesday through Saturday. Free. hfgallery.org

Cézanne and the ModernMasterpieces of European Art from the Pearlman Collection: The High presents an outstanding selection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and modern art with masterworks from Degas, van Gogh and

Modigliani. Tuesday through Sunday. $12 to $19.50. high.org

Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear: Fernbank Museum of Natural History examines the physiological, neurological and sociological aspects of this often misunderstood emotion in an enjoyable environment. Monday through Sunday. $16 to $18. fernbankmuseum.org

Inspiring Beauty - 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair: MODA honors the fashion show that brought European couture to the African-American community. Tuesday through Saturday. $5 to $10. museumofdesign.org

Performing Arts

Murder Ballad: In this rock and roll musical, a sultry singer spins a lurid tale of lust and murder that unfolds when a New York love triangle goes wrong. Opens November 5. $20 to $32. actors-express.com

The New Pornographers: The Vancouver indie rock group known for their unique take on pop music returns to Atlanta on the heels of a new album release. November 6. $29. thebuckheadtheatre.com

Twelfth Night: A shipwreck, separated identical twins, mistaken identities, romance and one pair of yellow stockings — welcome to Orsino’s court

Inspiring Beauty

and the zany world of Shakespeare. November 6 through November 30. $15 to $39. shakespearetavern.com

Il barbiere di Siviglia: Georgia State University’s Opera Theater stages a production of Rossini’s treasured opera “The Barber of Seville.” Free! Opens November 7. music.gsu.edu

Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Allen Toussaint: This group has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture the art form of New Orleans jazz. $35 to $60. November 7. ferstcenter. gatech.edu

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Center for Puppetry Arts’ beloved holiday adaptation is soaring back into town once again this holiday season. Opens November 11. $16.50 to $20.50. puppet.org

Morgan Freeman Presents The Magic Negro and Other Blackness: Using improv and character pieces, this one-man show examines the representation of black males in the media, as told by the character of Morgan

Freeman. Opens November 13. $10.50 to $27.50 dadsgarage.com

Madama Butterfly: This new coproduction from The Atlanta Opera presents a fresh look at Puccini’s timeless tragedy of innocence lost. November 8 through November 16. $26 to $140. atlantaopera.org

A Pinter Kaleidoscope: Audiences encounter playwright Harold Pinter’s dystopian nirvana by moving through various locations within the theater space at this show. Closes November 9. $10 to $20. theater.emory.edu

Chamber Music in Sacred Spaces

— NEW VOICES: Atlanta Chamber Players return to Ahavath Achim Synagogue with new work by composer Adam Schoenberg honoring Jewish composers Erich Korngold and Srul Irving Glick November 9. $10 to $20 atlantachamberplayers.com

One More For The Fans!Celebrating The Songs & Music of Lynyrd Skynyrd: This musical tribute to the Southern rock band honors the band’s role in the 1976 “Save the Fox” campaign. November 12. $72 to $222. foxtheatre.org

Kyle Abraham - Abraham.In.Motion: Award-winner choreographer Kyle Abraham’s “Pavement” transforms the stage into an abstract metaphor of a basketball court to look at AfricanAmerican history and culture. November 14. $30. ferstcenter.gatech.edu

White Rabbit Red Rabbit: Iran’s Nassim Soleimanpour dissects the experience of a whole generation in this original play in which each performance features a different actor. Closes November 22. $20 to $25. outofhandtheater.com

Milton Nascimento: This iconic Brazilian singer-songwriter’ s early work fused Africanized jazz with Latin-American folk, an alternative to generations of bossa nova. November 23. $42 to $68. rialto.gsu.edu

Dirty Dancing -The Classic Story on Stage: This unprecedented live experience at the Fox Theatre brings the classic film to the stage with heart-pounding music and sensational dancing. November 25 through November 30. $30 to $85. broadwayinatlanta. com

UnderContract

Yelp’s list of local dining institutions with 20+ years in business

By Benjamin Getz Yelp Atlanta Community Manager

Twenty years.

at’s quite a milestone for any restaurant, but Atlanta’s rich history of Southern culture and love of food means there are some eateries that have endured for decades.

In celebration of Atlanta INtown’s big 2-0, we’ve brought you a list of 20 institutions with 20-plus years in the biz – replete with Yelper-approved items you won’t want to miss.

e rst ve on the list de ned the way Atlantans were eating before the 1950s had even rolled around. ese historical, and now famous, spots could grace the front of any postcard as they all say “Atlanta,” in their own way. Hats o to these oldies but goodies.

1. The Colonnade (1927)

1879 Cheshire Bridge Road –Morningside/Lenox Park

The obvious choice here is fried chicken. They run a tight, southern ship with all the fixin’s and no ifs, ands or buts – it’s cash only, friends.

(See our review on page 52.)

2. The Varsity (1928)

61 North Ave. –Downtown

“What’ll Ya Have?” Well, if you say anything that doesn’t include a chili dog, a Frosted Orange, a fried peach pie, and a neatly creased paper hat, you’re doing it all wrong.

3. The Majestic Diner (1929)

1031 Ponce De Leon Ave. – Poncey-Highland

Open 364 days a year at 24-hour increments is the name of the game at the Majestic. Those neon lights will lure you in like a moth to flame. At least there are hash browns afterward.

4. Mary Mac’s

224 Ponce de Leon Ave. –Midtown

Because starting your meal off with pot likker, cornbread and cinnamon rolls is the way it’s done at this Atlanta mainstay. It’s more of a right of passage and something worth touting to your Yankee friends.

5 . Busy Bee (1947)

810 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive – Downtown

Busy Bee’s motto says it all –“Prepared with Love, Seasoned with Soul.” Yelpers go nuts for their candied yams. Get some.

6. George’s Restaurant & Bar (1961)

1041 N. Highland Ave NE - Virginia-Highland

George’s has become a go-to for those who want a big, juicy handmade burger and a fun night of trivia. Make note of the Jalapeño Dijon Burger –it’s worth the burn.

7. The Silver Skillet (1956)

200 14th St. - Midtown

Not just a breakfast spot reserved for Tech students. You’ll take step back into the ‘50s as you take a seat at the counter for a good ole-fashioned breakfast.

8. Manuel’s Tavern (1956)

602 N. Highland Ave. – Poncey-Highland

Everyone’s favorite neighborhood bar. You can’t miss this Poncey centerpiece –one of the coolest, old-timey murals in the city.

9. Pittypat’s Porch (1967)

25 Andrew Young International Blvd. - Downtown

Make like Scarlett O’Hara and sip on a mint julep as you soak up at this mustvisit on many a tourist’s radar. Make ready your favorite lines from “Gone With the Wind.”

10. Polaris (1967)

265 Peachtree St. –Downtown

It closed down for a few years, but now it’s back and better than ever. The only thing more fun than a dinner date under the blue dome with views of Downtown is the ridiculously fun elevator ride to the top.

11. McKinnon’s Lousiane Restaurant (1972)

3209 Maple Drive - Buckhead

Louisiana cuisine reigns supreme at McKinnon’s – gumbo, bouillabaisse and fish prepared any way you like. The owner, Aziz, is a great guy. Make sure you give him a good, Southern handshake.

12. The Sun Dial (1976)

210 Peachtree St. - Downtown

Let’s be honest: Dinner on the 72nd floor is going to be awesome. Every. Single. Time.

13. Petite Auberge (1974)

2935 N. Druid Hills Road – North Druid Hills

Holding down French cuisine in the ATL for over 30 years with timeless favorites like Beef Wellington and Coq Au Vin.

14. Nikolai’s Roof (1976)

255 Courtland St. - Downtown

Yet another place to dine with a view. Rachel C notes the bar’s “lush and romantic” appeal. Exactly what you’d like to see for a night out Downtown.

15. La Grotta (1978)

2637 Peachtree Road - Buckhead

Quite literally meaning “The Cave,” you’ll find this spot tucked neatly under a condominium building. The traditional menu will comfort your soul like a warm blanket.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

16. Bones Restaurant (1979)

3130 Piedmont Road – Buckhead

Lee C’s definition of “heaven in a bowl – the truffle mashed potatoes.” Yep. She hit the nail right on the head. Paired with their legendary French onion soup, you’ve got a surefire win for dinner.

17. Murphy’s (1980)

997 Virginia Ave. – VirginiaHighland Murphy’s could write the book on “brunch dining.” All of the favorites under one roof. Take one look at their Yelp page and you’ll see one thing Yelpers say you can’t miss – grits.

18. American Roadhouse (1989)

842 N. Highland Ave. – Virginia-Highland

Stellar pancakes for over 23 years in the Highlands. They’re definitely doing something right. One word: ‘Merica.

19. Ann’s Snack Bar (1971)

1615 Memorial Drive – Kirkwood

Ann Price set the burger bar high with her infamous “Ghetto Burger” (the Wall Street Journal called it the best in America). It’s the most ugly-beautiful burger you’ll ever experience.

20. Bacchanalia (1993)

1198 Howell Mill Road – Westside

“The” spot for special occasions. The price tag isn’t the only thing that has given these guys over 20 years of business in Atlanta. The food is darn worth its salt. Especially when someone else is paying.

Follow Ben Getz’s reviews at benjamingetz.yelp.com and all the Yelp adventures on Instagram and Twitter @YelpAtlanta.

Originality is our nationality! Inspiration can come from anywhere – Greek islands, Mediterranean markets, mom’s kitchen. And that’s exactly where we’ve discovered some of our most innovative dishes yet. Our recipe for creating the deliciously unexpected is simple: wholesome ingredients with a dash of inspiration, served up by friendly folks right around the corner. Welcome to Taziki’s.