Connect Magazine

Celebrate the 37th Anniversary of the Independence of the Bahamas

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:12:38 +0000

Two major events have been planned by the Bahamas Consulate General; on Saturday, Independence DayJuly 10, 2010 there will be a Family and Friends Fun Day to be held on the private grounds of “The Beach House At Camp Exposure” 3235 Evans Mill Rd Lithonia, Georgia from 12 noon until 6pm.

The event is designed to bring Bahamian families together; an emphasis will be placed on celebrating nostalgic Bahamian games such as hoopla, ring play, platting of the May pole and much more. We also plan to have a guest Bahamian artist performing all of the native songs.

There will be lots of prizes and surprises, which will include round trip tickets to The Bahamas via airline and cruise ship.

Delightful Bahamian dinners and desserts will be served throughout the course of the day.

On Sunday, July 11 a Church service of Thanksgiving will be held at Lithonia Baptist Church, LithoniaGeorgia. The Consulate General of The Bahamas, Atlanta will host the Ecumenical Service, at 10:30am. Bishop Neil Ellis of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church, Nassau will be the guest preacher at this event. Visiting dignitaries, Members of the Atlanta Consular Corp, Bahamians and Friends of the Bahamas are expected to attend.

Immediately after the service, there will be a cake cutting reception in the church reception hall.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Independence Through The Eyes Of Our Youth”.

Delta Air Lines is the air travel sponsor.

Coming to the Stage

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:33:42 +0000

JASMINE GUY STARS IN RAISIN’ CANE

June 25-June 27, 2010
Southwest Arts Center
Friday, 8 PM
Saturday 2 PM & 8 PM
Sunday 3 PM
Tickets: $15-$25 at Ticket Annex

Enter a Harlem Renaissance Odyssey with Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharp Trio. Inspired by the 1923 classic novel Cane by Jean Toomer and works by other Harlem Renaissance artists, Jasmine Guy makes the period come alive for contemporary audiences through music, dance and multi-media presentation. 4 performances only!

_______________________________________________

SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY

July 2-August 22, 2010
Horizon Theatre
1030 Austin Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307
(in Little Five Points)
Tickets $20-$30
Box Office: 404-584-7450

A joyous, exuberant celebration about the coming of age of a young girl and the eight loving Big Mamas who raised her. This circle of diverse Southern women prepare Daughter to go to the river – her rite of passage into womanhood. The stories they share are funny, sad, magical, and touching – tales of survival and healing. A soulfully insightful universal story. Written by Shay Youngblood

__________________________________________________

I DREAM: THE STORY OF A PREACHER FROM ATLANTA

July 9-13, 2010
Alliance Theatre
Tuesday-Friday, 8 PM
Saturday 2:30 PM & 8 PM
Sunday 2:30 PM
Tickets: $32.50-$75.00 / NBAF Discount Code NBAF710
Click here for the box office.

Douglas Tappin’s “I Dream” is the first major stage production in America portraying Atlanta’s iconic civil rights leader. Set to a glorious score, this inspirational musical drama, based on events in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is directed by Jasmine Guy who has assembled an exceptionally talented cast for the highly-anticipated world premiere. Opens for previews on the Alliance Stage at Woodruff Arts Center from July 6 and runs until July 31, 2010.

__________________________________________________

LUNCHTIME WITH A SOAP OPERA DIVA

July 14, 2010
12 PM
Auburn Avenue Research Library for African American Culture and History
101 Auburn Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30303
Free

Join Actress Victoria Rowell as she takes us on a special theatrical trip into the world of daytime soap opera. She reveals plenty of secrets and tells you no lies! Her new book Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva serves as the backdrop for this witty conversation with Victoria Rowell and her alter ego Calysta Jeffries. Copies of her new book will be available for sale. See you there!

__________________________________________________

VOODOO MACBETH COMING TO NBAF IN 2011!

In 2011 NBAF will produce Voodoo Macbeth, a revival of the 1936 play performed in Harlem during the Great Depression.

The Federal Theater Project’s production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth featured an all black cast and was directed by a 20 year old Orson Wells. The setting of the play shifted from Scotland to Haiti and acquired its nickname because of its use of voodoo imagery in stead of witchcraft that was found in the original text. A box office sensation, the production is regarded as a landmark theatrical event for several reasons: its innovative interpretation of the play, its success in promoting black theater, and its role in securing the reputation of its 20-year old director.the lobbying of civil rights activists a Negro Theatre Unit was created. It was split into two halves, the ‘Contemporary Branch’ to create theatre on contemporary black issues, and the ‘Classic Branch’, to perform classic drama. The aim was to provide a point of entry into the theatre workforce for black actors and stagehands, and to raise community pride by performing classic plays without reference to the colour of the actors.

We have received planning support from the National Endowment of the Arts and are beginning the process of locating a producing partner. We will keep you posted as we move forward. Take a moment to check out this Newsreel of Voodoo Macbeth from 1936.

NBAF on Visual Arts

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:04:29 +0000

ACA Gallery of SCAD

Chakaia Booker: Sustain

July 15- August 29, 2010. Opening Reception: Thursday, July 15, 6 PM- 8 PM, held in conjunction with the National Black Arts Festival, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA. Hours: Tues-Wed 10 AM- 5 PM, Thurs 10 AM- 8 PM, Fri & Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 12 PM-5 PM, www.scadexhibitions.com.

The SCAD exhibitions department presents Sustain, a solo exhibition featuring the work of Chakaia Booker. Sustain pairs Booker’s signature abstract sculptures fashioned from found tires with a series of photogravures the artist recently created at SCAD. Highlighting her use of sustainable materials, these prints offer a rare view of the artist’s process as she ceremoniously forages the industrial landscape. Combined with the expressive materiality of the rubber sculptures, the two series allude to physical and personal
Chakaia Booker

strength, racial identity and the human relationship to the environment. A conversation between Carrie Mae Weems and Chakai Booker will take place in on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in the Rich Theater at Woodruff Arts Center, 6 PM.

_______________________________

Sandler Hudson Gallery

Girls, Grillz, and Guns, July 13, 2010 – August 14, 2010, 1009 A Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30318, Hours: Tuesday- Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment, www.sandlerhudson.com, 404-817-3300.

Sandler Hudson will present Atlanta photographer, Shelia Pree Bright’s, “Girls, Grills, and Guns,” in conjunction with a book signing by the nationally known photographer and writer, Dr. Deborah Willis during the 2010 National Black Arts Festival. In the exhibition, “Girls, Grills, and Guns,” Sheila Pree Bright displays photographs from her “Plastic Bodies,” Gold Rush,” and “Guns” series. Pree Bright’s photographs in this exhibit will examine the intersection of male and female beauty standards for people of color and takes a look at young African American culture in America.

Dr. Deborah Willis will be signing her book, Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890′s to the Present, a remarkable historical record that captures the civil rights era and the triumphs of the present-day. It includes work by some of the great photographers of our time, including, Carl Van Vechten, Eve Arnold, Bruce Davidson and Richard Avedon.

Sheila Pree Bright’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions, including “Young Americans” at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, “Suburbia” at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland, “Saturday Night/Sunday Morning” at The African American Museum of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, the traveling exhibition “Reflections In Black: A History of Black Photographers 1840 to the Present,” and “Locating the Spirit: Religion and Spirituality in African American Art,” at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum in Washington, D.C., and is included in public and private collections throughout the United States. Pree Bright will also be included in the 2010 Armory Show in NYC.

Sheila Pree Bright -
Plastic Body Series

Deborah Willis is a photographer, curator of photography, photographic historian, author, and educator. She is the recipient of MacArthur, Guggenheim, and Fletcher Fellowships. She is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography and Imaging at Tisch School of the Arts of New York University.
Deborah Willis – Posing Beauty

________________________________

Hammonds House Museum and Resource Center of African American Art

Louis Delsarte, July 11 – Sept 12, 2010 / Hours: Tuesday- Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., www.hammondshouse.org, 404-612-0500

Described as a figurative painter of dream-like compositions, Louis Delsarte emerged onto the art scene more than thirty five years ago as a painter. Using texture, abstraction, paints, ebony pencil and mixed media, Louis Delsarte takes the viewer to the depths of his own experiences and imagination.

He has been honored as artist in residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem, Howard University in DC, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, Bob Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, NY, Towson University in MD, The Experimental Printmaking Institute at Lafayette College, Arts Exchange in Atlanta, GA, Brandywine Printmaking Workshop in Washington, D.C., and The Faculty
Resource Network at New York University. Since moving to Atlanta many years past Delsarte has established himself as one of the leading artist in the region, in high demand for his skills as a muralist and his profound ability to capture the dreams and histories of the American experience.

________________________________

Hagedorn Foundation Gallery

Represent: Imaging African American Culture in Contemporary Art July 16-September 3, 2010, Opening Reception: Friday, July 16, 2010, 5-8 PM, Hours: Monday- Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., 425 Peachtree Hills Avenue #25, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404.492.7718, www.hagedornfoundationgallery.org.

Hagedorn Foundation Gallery is pleased to announce REPRESENT: Imaging African American Culture in Contemporary Art, a group photography exhibition dealing with the roots of black culture and thus personal identity. Included are bold, nearly abstract images of the traditional, ceremonial hairstyles of Nigeria by Ojeikere, Demetrius Oliver’s powerful portrait series documenting cultural influence on the individual using surreal relationships between the subject and everyday objects, Don Camp’s investigations into the nature of Afro-American portraiture and rare examples of Malick Sidibe’s Bamako dance party contact sheets.

Mkpuk Eba by J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere

_________________________________

MASON MURER FINE ART

The Solemn Sounds of Silence: A New Orleans Metaphor July 10 – August 31, 2010. Opening Reception, Saturday, July 10, 7 PM-10 PM, held in conjunction with the National Black Arts Festival, Mason Murer Fine Art 199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324. Open Tuesday-Friday 11AM-5PM, Saturday Noon-5PM. www.masonmurer.com

The Solemn Sounds of Silence: A New Orleans Metaphor focuses on photography by Eric Waters with Poetry by Kevin Sipp. Also Featuring Cash Crop: A Sculptural Installation by Stephen Hayes, Charles Falarara: Works on Paper, Amana Johnson: Sculpture and an important Historical Collection with works from Robert Scott Duncanson, Edward Mitchell Bannister, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Lois Mailou Jones, Charles Ethan Porter and William H Johnson.

By Eric Waters

_________________________________

AVISCA FINE ART GALLERY

Two-Person Exhibition by April Harrison and Zoya Taylor, July 9-July 31, 2010, Opening Reception: Friday, July 9, 2010, 6-9 p.m., Hours: Thursday- Saturday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., 507 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060, www.aviscafineart.com.

April Harrison a native of Greenville, South Carolina, paints images primarily in acrylic, powder, watercolor, pencil and collage. Found objects such as coins, specialty papers, magazine print and interesting treasures found on the street are often incorporated into her paintings. These, coupled with bits and pieces of her recycled older works, create strikingly rich textures and dimensions. Her mosaic use of color and her rich patchwork collage of fabric, paper and found objects add a physical reality and a quilt-like quality to her work, rooting it firmly within an African-American artistic tradition. Both in a formal sense and in a visionary way, the strong visual appeal that she achieves proves that disparate elements can form harmonious and stimulating combinations. A self-taught artist who has been professionally involved in art for nearly 20 years as an award-winning artist and illustrator, Harrison has achieved a great measure of success and popular acclaim in those relatively short years. She acknowledges her natural talent as a gift that was bestowed on her. Her work has April Harrison – Side by Side been featured at numerous venues including the Hampton University Museum in Hampton, VA, Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, GA and the Romare Bearden Juried Invitational at Charlotte’s Mint Museum. Her work has been published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s McDougal Littell’s Literature, The Judith Roth Collection and San Francisco’s Image Conscious. Her work has also been featured in ‘Upscale’, ‘Essence’ and ‘Talk’ Magazines as well as on BET, 106 & Park. Her work can be found in numerous collections including the Atlanta Housing Authority, Vanderbilt University and Erskine University Museum collections and high profile collections such as Whoopi Goldberg and S. Epatha Merkerson.

Zoya Taylor was born in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She spent her early childhood in Germany and moved with her Jamaican father and Canadian mother to Kingston, Jamaica when she was eight. Her academic career includes a Masters degree in International Social Work, and teaching experience at universities in Canada, Jamaica and Norway. She is essentially a self-taught artist, but has taken classes in painting, sculpture and drawing. She enjoys gallery representation in the USA, Germany and Norway, and has had a number of solo and group exhibitions in the USA, Europe and the Caribbean. She currently lives in Oslo, Norway.

Zoya Taylor – You and Me Against The World
_________________________________

Michael Carlos Museum of Emory University

When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection

Visit the exhibition free of charge from 1–4 p.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010.
571 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-727-4282, www.carlos.emory.edu.

The Carlos Museum brings the splendor of Indian art and culture to Atlanta. This exhibition celebrates the awe-inspiring technical craftsmanship of Indian jewelry with more than 150 pieces spanning 2,000 years. When Gold Blossoms includes spectacular rings, anklets, earrings, hair pendants, jeweled crowns, ivory combs, and an elaborate swing and a gold throne for a deity. Some of the pieces are worn in daily life, others dedicated to deities in Hindu temples. Photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries will be displayed alongside the jewelry to provide a fuller understanding of the ways in which jewelry is worn and used.

NBAF Brings the Stars to the Music Stage

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:26:19 +0000

BODY AND SOUL
Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $45-$25, Rialto Center for the Arts
Buy Tickets Now

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon revives the lost art of live silent film accompaniment as he and a 16-piece big band performs his original score to Oscar Micheaux’s 1925 film, Body and Soul. Gordon provides a rich musical tapestry for the film which not only highlights his talent as a composer and performer but also contextualizes Micheaux’s genius and innovation as a filmmaker. Gordon captures the spirit of the characters, the director and the film itself in the work songs, traditional jazz and hymns that are infused in the music. Body and Soul was actor Paul Robeson’s debut film role as he portrayed Reverend Jenkins, a fugitive who charades as a preacher in rural Georgia, with a penchant for women, gambling, drinking and blackmail.

BRAZIL FEST CONCERT:THE BEST OF BRAZIL featuring IVAN LINS & CASSANDRA WILSON
July 15, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $65-$25, Atlanta Symphony Hall
Buy Tickets Now

Experience what the jazz legends already know as the incomparable Ivan Lins, in a rare Atlanta performance, headlines an evening of the Best of Brazilian music. The songbook of Brazilian composer/musician Ivan Lins contains some of the most re-recorded songs in musical history with jazz greats likes Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald recording his music.

Mr. Lins is joined by Bossa singer Marcia Bittencourt, Afro Brazilian percussion group Olodum and Bale de Cidade, a Brazilian modern ballet group. Then, as if the evening couldn’t get any better, special guest Cassandra Wilson takes the stage, collaborating with Lins to bring the Brazilian heat to a sultry Mississippi simmer as only Ms. Wilson can. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event. Get your tickets now!

LEGENDS CELEBRATION: TO CURTIS WITH LOVE
July 16, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $65-$25, Atlanta Symphony Hall

NBAF honors the music and legacy of Curtis Mayfield with To Curtis with Love, our 2010 Legends Celebration. The Impressions, Eddie Levert, Van Hunt, Frank McComb, Dionne Farris and Joi Gilliam walk through the Mayfield songbook reminding us of the genius of Curtis Mayfield. Ten years after his death his music continues to inspire audiences, influence artists and serve as a mirror which reflects our humanity. The music Curtis Mayfield composed and performed is a soundtrack for time past and time yet to come. He encouraged some to Keep On Pushin’ and took others on a Super Fly trip. The words prolific, veritable and provocative only scratch the surface when referencing this prophet from the South Side of Chicago who became a citizen of the world. Music Director: Russell Gunn. Stage Direction/Choreography: Jasmine Guy.

BRAZIL FEST AT THE NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL
July 15, 2010, 5 p.m., Centennial Olympic Park, Free

The world famous Afro Brazilian percussion group Olodum and celebrated Brazilian composer Ivan Lins headline Brazil Fest on Thursday, July 15. In partnership with the Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta and the Brazilian Government we explore Brazil through its cultural contributions. From don’t miss performances in Centennial Olympic Park and Atlanta Symphony Hall to panel discussions and film, immerse yourself in this cultural journey through Brazil. NBAF’s got your passport! Check the website for the full schedule of events!

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
July 18, 2010, 7 p.m., Ebenezer Baptist Church, Free

The National Black Arts Festival and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra continue their annual partnership to present a community concert at Ebenezer Baptist Church on historic Auburn Avenue. The concert features young musicians from the ASO Talent Development Program and the Detroit based Sphinx Competition. Both Sphinx and the ASO/TDP nurture talent in Black and Latino communities in the classical music genre. Sphinx has a special emphasis on string instruments.

CENTENNIAL PARK MAIN STAGE
July 15-July 18, 2010 Thursday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 p.m.-9 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Centennial Olympic Park

The Music keeps on playing at NBAF with a four day line-up that promises to keep you on your feet and dancing into the night. The Main Stage is headlined by Brazilian based Olodum on Thursday, DJ Kemit and the very popular Spread Love on Friday, Roy Ayers and Common Ground Collective on Saturday and Lizz Wright on Sunday.

THURSDAY
5:00 Brazil Fest featuring Olodum

FRIDAY
5:00 Spread Love with DJ Kemit (House Music, Oldies)
7:00 DJ Kayo’s Golden Age 101 (Hip Hop, House)

SATURDAY
12 :00 DJ Salah with Luis Carreras and Dashill SunNova
2 :30 Ghanaian National Center for Culture Drum and Dance Corps
4:00 Leon and The Peoples
5:45 Russell Gunn Album Release Party @ NBAF
7:30 Roy Ayers and Common Ground Collective

SUNDAY
12:00 Yo! Karaoke with Fahamu Pecou
3:00 Jodi Merriday
4:00 Dionne Farris
5:30 Kelsy Davis & Radical Soul
6:30 Lizz Wright

NBAF: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:54:35 +0000

July 16, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $65-$25, Atlanta Symphony Hall

2010 Heritage Arts Festival

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:41:47 +0000

www.heritageartsfestival.org or 404.523.2311

SOULFUL SOUNDS, AWE-INSPIRING ART AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS

Underground Atlanta Invites the Community to Experience 5 Days of African-American Traditions with the Heritage Arts Festival

WHAT: 15^th Annual Heritage Arts Festival

WHEN: Wednesday, July 7 – Sunday, July 11

TIME: Wednesday – Saturday – 10:00am – 9:00pm

Sunday – 11:00am – 7:00pm

WHERE: Underground Atlanta

Artist Market on Lower Pryor Street

Vendor Market on Fountain’s Plaza and Upper Alabama Street

COST: FREE

WEBSITE:

Embrace your creative spirit and head downtown for the 15^th Annual Heritage Arts Festival at Underground Atlanta beginning Wednesday, July 7 through Sunday, July 11. A cultural showcase of unique fine arts collections by world-renowned artists, this Festival celebrates African and African-American culture. The Heritage Arts Festival also spotlights a vendor market exhibiting more than 50 national and international booths featuring jewelry, African artifacts and beauty products as well as live musical entertainment and much more - all in one unique five-day experience.

Mix and mingle with both emerging and legendary artists from throughout the African Diaspora at the artist market (Lower Pryor Street) and vendor market (Fountain’s Plaza & Upper Alabama Street). Need a shopping break and in the mood for music? Enjoy live jazz, R&B, gospel and blues performances on two separate stages as well as film screenings, stage plays, story-telling, exhibits and book signings!

“Every year, the Heritage Arts Festival brings together families from all across the city,” says Michelle Lawrence, Director of Marketing for Underground Atlanta. “With musical performances, themed crafts and African-American artwork, this is a wonderful way to learn about, reflect upon and celebrate the history and legacy of the African-American experience through the arts.”

Spend the whole day at Underground Atlanta and visit attractions that are featured year-round. Go shopping at Dupsie’s African Clothing & African Pride; experience the “From Civil War to Civil Rights” guided history tour; and when you get hungry, grab a bite to eat at one of the fabulous restaurants in Underground Atlanta’s food court or in Kenny’s Alley.

For a full line-up of entertainment and other information on the 2010 Heritage Arts Festival, please visit www.heritageartsfestival.org

2009 Artist Market included:

Carl M. Crawford
http://www.cmcfinearts.net/
Aita & Keith Carmichael
Kelvin W. Henderson
http://kelvinwhenderson.com/
Robert Carter
http://robertcarterstudio.com/index.htm
Stephen Ransier Fields
Gbaby Artwear (Sylvia Rundles)
http://gbabyartwear.com/
Carlton Hardy
http://www.art-exchange.com/artistbio.aspx?ArtistID=64054
William Verdeja
http://willverdeja.com/

In This Issue

Publisher — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:03:52 +0000


Pick Up Your Copy Today
January/February 2010 8 Metro Meet Atlanta’s new mayor 10 Wellness Meditation 101 To herb or not to herb 12 Wine Georgia wineries 14 Dining Fresh choices for 2010	18 Entertainment Calendar22 Style24 Features Local celebrity Guilty pleasures26 Technology Living on your phone28 Business Networking
Previous Issue

Gold Room Night Club Grand Opening

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:34:17 +0000

Print Publications

Publisher — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:28:55 +0000

2009

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Ruth’s Chris Celebrates Mardi Gras by Traveling Back to its Roots

Publisher — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:16:47 +0000

Atlanta restaurants honor their New Orleans heritage with traditional dishes and a Louisiana vacation giveaway

This February, Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Centennial Olympic Park and Kennesaw will celebrate Mardi Gras by paying homage to the restaurant’s birthplace of New Orleans, La., featuring menu items native to The Big Easy from Fat Tuesday, February 16 through Sunday, February 28. Ruth’s Chris also will hold a drawing from Friday, February 12 through Sunday, February 28 for an exciting travel giveaway that will have one lucky guest and a companion traveling to New Orleans to experience a fun-filled adventure.

As home to the original Ruth’s Chris restaurant, New Orleans is a meaningful place within the Ruth’s Chris story. To honor its heritage, all four metro Atlanta Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses will join together for a giveaway contest that will provide a memorable journey for two back to Ruth’s Chris’ roots in New Orleans including airfare, hotel accommodations for two nights and dinner for two at the city’s acclaimed Ruth’s Chris Steak House. To enter the giveaway contest, guests may submit a business card or fill out an entry form provided at the host stand at Ruth’s Chris in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Centennial Olympic Park and Kennesaw. Entries will be accepted from Friday, February 12 through Sunday, February 28. The grand prize winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced on Monday, March 1.

Guests visiting Ruth’s Chris to enter the New Orleans travel giveaway are invited to preview a taste of The Big Easy fare with featured lunch and dinner specials that will include such succulent Creole creations as crabmeat au gratin, jambalaya, crawfish etouffe, po’ boy sandwiches and more. These zesty blends are available with the kickoff of Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday, February 16, and will continue through Sunday, February 28. The spotlighted New Orleans cuisine also will be available at all metro Atlanta restaurants in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Centennial Olympic Park and Kennesaw.

About Ruth’s Chris Steak House Atlanta-Area Restaurants

Much like founder Ruth Fertel, who in 1965 spent her life’s savings to purchase Chris Steak House in New Orleans, franchise partners Jim Brooks, Phil Brooks, Mark Oswald and Nancy Oswald are dedicated to caring for their guests by serving the highest quality food with exceptional service in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bringing to the Southeast the Ruth’s Chris Steak House tradition of custom-aged, USDA Prime steaks served with the signature Ruth’s Chris sizzle, the four franchise owners are proud to represent eight of the more than 130 Ruth Chris Steak Houses worldwide. The Brooks-Oswald team’s first Ruth’s Chris restaurant opened in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta in 1986. The partners continue to honor Ruth by carrying on her vision and have grown the franchise to include four restaurants in Georgia, two in Alabama and two in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.ruthschris.com.