Bestselling Author Readings and Book Signings
May 21-23
Monday, May 21 • 7:15 pm • Decatur Library [map]
Kayte Terry
The Theater and Literary Arts Festival opens with Kayte Terry, crafter and author of Paper Made! 101 Exceptional Projects to Make Out of Everyday Paper. Chances are you’ve seen Kayte’s cutting-edge work in the windows of Anthropologie, where she is the chain’s merchandising manager. An inveterate crafter who creates projects and styles photo shoots for magazines like Parents and Vogue Knitting, Kayte takes the most versatile of materials and the most basic of crafts and creates something transformative.
Tuesday, May 22 • 7 pm • Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library [map]
Poetry Atlanta
Poetry Atlanta presents several poets from the new anthology A Face to Meet the Faces: An Anthology of Contemporary Persona Poetry, edited by Stacey Lynn Brown and Oliver de la Paz. Poets reading this evening are Collin Kelly, Chad Davidson, Adam Vines and Khadijah Queen.
Wednesday, May 23 • 7:15 pm • Decatur Library [map]
Robert M. Craig
Author Robert M. Craig is a professor emeritus of architectural history at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His new book, The Architecture of Francis Palmer Smith: Atlanta’s Scholar-Architect, highlights the life and design achievements of Frances Palmer Smith, the principal designer of Atlanta-based Pringle and Smith, one of the leading architectural firms of the early twentieth-century South. Smith designed many building in Georgia and throughout the South, and was central to the establishment of the Beaux-Arts perspective in the South through his academic and professional career.
Organized by Joe Davich, assistant director Georgia Center for the Book
Decatur Public Library, 215 Sycamore St., 404-370-8450 ext. 2285, www.georgiacenterforthebook.org
“Speak . . . Easy!”
Friday, May 25 • 7-9 pm
Old Courthouse on the Square
Your host for the evening: Jerry G
A board member of the Decatur Arts Alliance and the Decatur Arts Festival, and coordinator of the Theater and Literary Arts Festival, Jerry G. invites you to enjoy “A Performance Method.” Check him out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jerrygwhiteactor.
Kim Armstrong: “A Popular Dance”
The euphoric vibes of this presentation will work like a lucky charm, inspiring joy and friendship.
Felton Eaddy
An Atlanta-based poet, creative writer, vocalist and teacher, Felton performs poems from Bending Over To Pick Up a Snake and more recent poetry about fractured relationships. He teaches English at Clark Atlanta University and hosts an annual slam poetry competition.
Veronika Jackson
Called “the Gem of the South,” Veronika Jackson inspires with rare and authentic acoustic folk blues from the depths of her heart and culture.
Nancy Riggs
Nancy marks the 150th anniversary of the Great Locomotive Chase with tales of the rails. She is the director of Piccadilly Puppets, a member of the Southern Order of Storytellers, and an actor in many Atlanta theatres.
Book Sale
Saturday, May 26 • 9 am-3 pm
Decatur Library Front Lawn • 215 Sycamore St. [map]
Thousands of gently used fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, DVDs, and CDs will be offered at low prices. All proceeds will benefit the programs and collections of the Decatur Library. Donations of gently used books are always welcome at the library.
Sponsored by Friends of the Decatur Library.
DeKalb History Center
May 26-27
Old Courthouse on the Square
Highlights from the Guy Hayes Collection: Food, Fun and Fashion in the Modern Era
In 1984, Avondale photographer Guy Hayes donated his collection of nearly 11,000 images to the DeKalb History Center for preservation and use. Mr. Hayes, a Navy veteran and graduate of Clarkston High School, was a regular contributor to local newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal, and The DeKalb News/Sun, for more than 50 years.
This exhibit represents a small selection of photographs from the collection, emphasizing the food trends, clothing styles and recreational diversions of the 1950s and 1960s. Although very little written documentation exists regarding the stories behind these photos, Hayes’ work speaks eloquently of life at midcentury. The last public display of his photographs was in 1999. Many of these striking images have never been shown. This exhibit reveals a prolific talent with an incisive eye.
Scottdale Mills Collection
Scottdale Mills, founded by George Washington Scott, opened in 1909 and was a vital part of the manufacturing landscape of DeKalb County until its closing in 1982. The mill provided employment for the surrounding community, as well as a store and a cemetery. The items in this exhibit include tools and signage from the shop floor, historical photographs, original documents and samples of the products made at the mill.
Color Wheel Captures Contemporary Art: A Year-End Retrospective
In this year’s study of contemporary art, students (ages 3-12) at Color Wheel explored works by a number of working artists such as Dale Chihuly, Tony Cragg, Chuck Close and Richard Notkin. Students also worked on special projects with local artists, such as Cooper Sanchez, who donated their time and creative energy to this endeavor. Throughout the year, we used a variety of media to create both individually and collaboratively. The work in this exhibition is an overview of our 10-month-long effort to broaden our view of art today and inspire the work of tomorrow.
Color Wheel is a children’s art studio established in Decatur.
Let Us Entertain You!
Saturday, May 26
Theater and Literary Arts Tent
Old Courthouse Lawn
Noon-12:45 pm • OnStage Atlanta
A festival favorite, OnStage Atlanta Theatre Company celebrates its 40th season by performing selections from its hit summer musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
3:30-4:15 pm • Working Title Playwrights
Atlanta’s premiere play development company presents Decatur Stories, new scripts celebrating our city.
Sunday, May 27
Theater and Literary Arts Tent
Old Courthouse Lawn
Noon-1 p.m. • Ken Scott
Entertainer Ken Scott has more than 20 years of experience, performing more than 350 shows a year. He has twice been voted Greater Atlanta Entertainer of the Year. He was also featured on CNN Headline News in a segment called A Day of Magic. Ken performs yearly in Hollywood at the world famous Magic Castle, home to the Academy of Magical Arts. He has also performed five times at the White House.
3:30-4:15 pm • TellTale Theatre
TellTale Theatre, on the Georgia and Southern Arts Federation’s recommended roster, has delighted more than a million people. “Fabulous Fables” is a fast moving, interactive adaptation of Aesop’s Fables.
Saturday, May 26
Acoustic Palette Tent
1 W. Court Square
Music and art. . . unplugged expression!
Please join us in welcoming a new performance venue to the Decatur Arts Festival: Acoustic Palette, sponsored by Classic Tents and Events and Eddie’s Attic.
The Acoustic Palette logo design by artist Lisa Kay Bokovoy defines the vision of the venue – music and art and unplugged expression.
The host for Acoustic Palette is Rhiannon Clark. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, she has worked at Eddie’s Attic in many roles for the past six years.
11 am-noon • Elise Witt
World traveler and Atlanta favorite Elise Witt sings global, local and homemade songs. You might find yourself part of an impromptu Glorious Chorus.
2:30-3:30 pm • The Lovely Drifters
Amy Andrews and Alex Sia have performed together since 2009. This classically trained duo has a lot to say – check out their original music, their activism, and 366 Days, their (leap) year-in-the-life-of-a-new-band blog.
5-6 pm • Kelly Hill Hall
Kelly has performed with several bands from the Atlanta area and has run a recording studio, Red Room Atlanta. He is a solo artist, frequent utility player, songwriter and lyricist and has performed in many of Atlanta’s top venues.
Sunday, May 27
Acoustic Palette Tent
1 W. Court Square
12:30-1:30 pm • Night Driving in Small Towns
This band, formed by singer-songwriters Rogers and Wright, was named one of the “Top 25 Bands on Myspace” by Rolling Stone. The band moved from small South Georgia towns to Atlanta in 2008 and has seen its share of topography. So has its music. Navigating the spaces between artsy folk pop and brazen indie rock, the sound is sometimes gutsy, sometimes reserved, but always premeditated.
2-3 pm • Shaun & EQ
Shaun and Ernie have been singing and performing most of their lives. They have performed together in Atlanta for the past 15 years. Their style crosses many genres of music and their beautiful harmonies have excited crowds throughout the Southeast.
Decatur LOL
Saturday, May 26
Comedy Tent
MARTA Plaza
OMG! Decatur is Laughing Out Loud again!
Host Lew Lefton is a local comedian who has performed stand-up and improv comedy for more than 25 years. He still holds down a day job as a mathematics faculty member at Georgia Tech, but that just means he’s funny and he can prove it. Lefton directs the local teen improv troupe D.U.C.K. and has performed around the country at clubs, colleges, concerts, and conferences.
1-1:45 pm • Whole World Improv Theatre
The actors take suggestions from the audience and add improv games to each scene. The group was established in Atlanta in 1994 and is located at 1216 Spring St., with shows every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Improv Theatre is currently enrolling kids for its summer camp.
2-2:45 pm • Decatur yoUth Comedy Krewe (D.U.C.K.)
This improv group, consisting of Decatur’s funniest teenagers, will “quack” you up!
3 -3:30 pm • Open Mic: Make ’em Laugh!
The first three people to sign up starting at 2:30 pm will each get to do a 10-minute set. The “winner” by audience applause will be awarded a slot in next year’s Decatur Arts Festival.
4:30-5:15 pm • Off the Cobb
The OTC Comedy Troupe offers improvisational comedy for audiences of all ages.
Sunday, May 27
Comedy Tent
MARTA Plaza
1-1:45 pm • The Blacktop Circus
The Blacktop Circus has entertained crowds since 1999. The troupe’s unique style pulls you right into the fun. BTC takes audience suggestions and turns them into funny skits, songs and poems. The show is so good, by the end of the performance you’ll want to “run away with the circus!”
4:30-5:15 pm • The Blacktop Circus
Laughing till the end . . .
