3rd Annual Art with Heart to Benefit The Children’s Village at Christian City the First Weekend in February

Noel Gilliam and Chuck Tryon set up Chuck's booth at Art with Heart

Fiona Dennis paints during show.

Christmas is behind us and many are focused on the next important shopping holiday, Valentine’s Day. Finding the one special gift that says “I Love You” can be a struggle, especially for those who want to say it in style! Once again the Fine Arts and Crafts Entrepreneurs (FAACE) group is doing its part to help solve the annual dilemma by sponsoring the 3rd Annual Art with Heart Fine Arts and Crafts Show in Peachtree City.

Over 20 quality artists will be showcasing their one-of-a-kind works of art and fine craft at Art With Heart February 1st and 2nd. Shoppers and guests will find original fine paintings, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, fiber art and more at the show --- a perfect mix of gifts for Valentine’s Day plus a great selection of art for the home, garden or office.

The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday evening. Food, beverages, music and art are on the agenda during the drop-in reception from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday the show is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A small number of spaces are still available for quality artists who would like to participate. The deadline for application receipt is January 16th. Applications are available at www.FAACE.org or via email to info@faace.org.

Art with Heart will benefit The Children’s Village at Christian City through voluntary donations from artists and attendees and a silent art auction. Christian City has been caring for abandoned and abused children in a family centered residential setting since 1965. Over 1,000 children have called Christian City “home.” If you would like to learn more about The Children’s Village or how to sponsor a child, please call Heidi Becker at 770-703-2636 or visit www.christiancity.org.

Art With Heart will be held at St. Andrews in the Pines Episcopal Church, 316 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City, GA 30269. For more information, please call Janet McGregor Dunn at 404-290-3638, email Noel at noelmer7@yahoo.com or visit the FAACE website at www.FAACE.org.

Gray's Reef Fantastic Fishes Award

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) held its 30th Annual Sidewalk Arts Festival on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Forsyth Park. Visitors viewed temporary chalk masterpieces created by SCAD students, alumni and prospective students on the walkways of the historic park in Savannah, GA.

For the seventh year, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary sponsored a separate category in the festival. The Gray's Reef Fantastic Fishes Award seeks to encourage student artists to find inspiration in the marine environment. With an emphasis on whimsy and biologically accuracy, Gray's Reef promotes art as another way to engage the public on marine issues through non-traditional educational means.

The 2011 award was won by Adela Kang, an illustration major from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Judges thought her image of a little girl listening to the ocean in a shell captures the spirit of love and stewardship for the ocean.

The image will be used by Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary to represent the 2011 Ocean Film Festival.

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GSU Film Festival to showcase student work

Georgia State's 3rd annual Film Festival will kick off at 5 p.m. April 25 at the Cinefest Film Theatre.

The three day festival will feature nearly 90 films from students enrolled in narrative, documentary, experimental and new media courses in the Department of Communication during the 2010-11 academic year.

The April 25-26 screenings will start at 5 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

"There's such a diverse population of students at GSU, in terms of ethnicity, culture and taste. The films are not only very eclectic in terms of experimental, documentary, narrative and new media, but the voices are also very unique and distinct," said Daniel Robin, an assistant professor of film and video and the festival creator.

This year's festival judges are Robin and other film faculty members Alessandra Raengo, Jennifer Barker and Jim Roberts.

Among the jury award categories are best experimental film, best documentary, best narrative and best new media.

For the first time, films of the jury selected finalists will be screened off campus at 7 p.m. April 28 the Plaza Theater, located at 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave. The event is free for GSU students with Student ID. All other attendees can purchase tickets at the door for $3.

"This event has grown over the last three years and I wanted to open up what we are doing with our film students at GSU to the Atlanta film going community," Robin said. "I also want the students to get a taste of what it's like to get their films shown off campus."

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Cherry Blossom Festival and Historic Macon Foundation Announce Decorators' Showhouse Tour Partnership

This March, historic preservation will be in full bloom during the 29th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Historic Macon Foundation’s 18th Annual Decorators’ Showhouse will serve as the Cherry Blossom Festival’s Tour of Homes.

The home located at 306 Orange St. in the intown Macon Historic District dates back to the 1880s when Benjamin Lawton Willingham gave the lot to his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Furman Lawton.

Historic Macon is currently rehabilitating the property based on standards set forth by the Secretary of the Interior in order to make it eligible for tax incentives for preservation totaling over $100,000 for the new owners.

Green living features adorn the home as well including an ultra-efficient ductless HVAC system, injected foam insulation, high efficiency water heaters, a pervious-surfaced driveway and limited construction waste.

“The showhouse will be the first historic rehabilitation in Georgia that showcases green design and energy efficiency for the public,” said Josh Rogers, Executive Director of Historic Macon Foundation. “We believe this project will set the bar for other rehabilitation projects throughout the Southeast.”

The Decorators’ Showhouse Tour, featuring 13 decorators from three states, will be open during the Cherry Blossom Festival, March 17 until March 27.

Presale tickets will be $18 from February 14 until March 15 and tickets at the door will be $20.

“Partnering with Historic Macon Foundation for our Tour of Homes just makes sense,” said Karen Lambert, President and CEO of the Cherry Blossom Festival. “We look forward to using this project to illustrate the positive impact two organizations can have on our beautiful city when they work together.”

On February 17, a “Hard Hat Party” will allow visitors to see the home before decorators complete their rooms. The “Top Hat Party” featuring the work of the decorators will take place on March 16.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual 10-day event designed to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship and civic pride for all Macon residents. The Festival was developed around the basic principles of “love, beauty and international friendship.” Historic Macon is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Macon’s historic and architectural heritage and facilitates preservation efforts in the community, revitalizes Macon’s neighborhoods and interprets the Sidney Lanier Cottage. For more information, visit www.historicmacon.org or call 478.742.5084.

Happy Diamond Anniversary to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival

An Event 75 Years in the Making

It’s been 75 years since Walter Rich, of Rich’s Department stores, decided to inaugurate a festival to celebrate the beautiful spring season in Atlanta. Since 1936, the festival has gone through numerous changes, and today the Atlanta Dogwood Festival holds the honor of being the third oldest fine arts festival in the country. With nearly 300 artists each year from throughout the United States and Canada, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival also provides a full weekend of live entertainment, varied food selections and a beloved disc dog competition. In more recent years, the festival has expanded its offerings to include an international cultural component, comedy and theatre partnerships and a gourmet tasting area featuring some of the city’s best restaurants.

It’s an event 75 years in the making, and the 2011 Atlanta Dogwood Festival promises more excitement than ever under the blooming of the city’s most beautiful trees.

AT A GLANCE The 75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Atlanta’s beautiful Piedmont Park on April 15, 16 and 17, 2011. Festival attendance is free, although a few of the areas are ticketed. www.dogwood.org

ARTS The 2011 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Artist Market welcomes fine artists from throughout the country and includes a special section featuring Georgia artists. All types of art are represented within the Artist Market, from oil painting to jewelry to sculpture and textiles. There is plenty to tempt any collector!

Again this year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is particularly proud of its Atlanta High School Art Exhibition (AHSAE), which last year brought in nearly 600 entries from talented young artists throughout the metro-area. Providing winners with $30,000 in scholarships and supplies, the AHSAE is community-oriented feature of the festival that fills a growing gap in creative opportunities for youth. Held in the Community Center in Piedmont Park during the festival, the AHSAE highlights the variety and breadth of young Atlanta artistic talent.

GLOBAL The Atlanta Dogwood Festival kicked off the International Village two years ago to recognize and celebrate the city’s diverse international communities. With the International Stage hosting a multitude of cultural performances from around the globe, the edutainment booths and the decorated mobile art golf carts, the International Village quickly became a favorite feature of the festival. The international communities and globally minded guests are also welcomed to make merry during La Fête, an evening ticketed party held on Friday, April 15 to launch the 2011 International Village.

SPECTATORS Each year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival offers entertainment throughout the weekend. As always, two live music stages feature performers from a variety of musical genres. Festival attendees can also enjoy the popular live disc dog show on the lawn or head to one of the other entertainment choices like theater productions and kid-friendly street performances.

FOR FOODIES The “Friends of Dogwood Pavilion,” a ticketed event that has become a popular feature of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, will be open Saturday and Sunday. The Pavilion pairs fare from top local restaurants with wines and beers in a comfortable, private setting. Tickets to Friends of Dogwood can be purchased in advance beginning in the spring at www.dogwood.org.

KIDS Designed just for the younger festival visitors, the Kid’s Village has become an Atlanta Dogwood Festival favorite for families. This interactive zone comes complete with hands-on art projects, special kid-friendly displays and hours of entertainment for children. With anything from ropes courses to the popular spider jump, parents will find this area ideal for pulling up some grass while the kiddies let out some energy.

ENTRANCE Just as it has been for the past 74 years, the 75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is free!

FUNDRAISING As a registered 501-C3, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival thanks Friends of Dogwood and our sponsors who help keep this great event free and open to the public.

Additional neighborhood and community-oriented features will be part of the 75th Atlanta Dogwood Festival – details coming soon!

Inaugural Atlanta Day of the Dead Celebration Partners With Wells Fargo

/PRNewswire/ -- Lanza Group, LLC's newest event, Atlanta Day of the Dead brings Mexico's colorful Dia de los Muertos traditions to Atlantic Station on Sunday, Nov. 7, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Partnering with Wells Fargo & Company, Atlanta Day of the Dead is a vibrant festival that celebrates life with traditional altars and live music.

"We look forward to being a part of the inaugural Atlanta Day of the Dead event at Atlantic Station, which is in the shadow of our Atlanta regional office tower" said Jerome Byers, Wells Fargo Atlanta Regional President. "The celebration teaches the significance of the holiday to the community at large, showing the growing importance of Hispanics in Atlanta."

"Atlanta Day of the Dead will visually explain Dia de los Muertos, for all to enjoy, learn and participate in" said Lanza Group President Ralph E. Herrera. " The Atlanta Latino community is incredibly diverse, and this event highlights one of the many varied family oriented traditions."

The focus of Atlanta Day of the Dead will be traditional displays created by local artists, non profits, and other groups; which are colorful tributes to passed family and friends. Live acoustic music and cultural performances will take place throughout the day, including a traditional Mexican ballet folklorico group. A large children's area will provide materials to build a small display and teach the basic understanding of the holiday. Atlanta Day of the Dead will also have a parade through the Central Park area of Atlantic Station beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Atlanta Day of the Dead celebrates a long-established Mexican tradition that brings together family and friends to remember past loved ones. The festival is an interactive, educational and cultural celebration of Mexican cultural; that features traditional altars and activities for children, live musical and cultural performances, arts and crafts, and authentic food.

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The BronzeLens Film Festival Set to Be One of the Nation’s Most Substantive Film Festivals

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over the course of four days, November 11-14, 2010 Atlanta will host the first annual BronzeLens Film Festival at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis (Festival Headquarter), Georgia Pacific Center Auditorium and the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center on the campus of Spelman College. The festival is set to be a creative platform designed to empower, entertain and educate from various disciplines and inspire the next generation of film makers. Narrative fiction, documentary, music video and short film screenings coupled with the who’s who of the film industry make the BronzeLens Film Festival one of the nation’s most substantive film festivals.

Master Classes and Workshops will be led by top names in film, direction and production such as Roger Bobb, Executive Vice President, Tyler Perry Studios, who produced all ten of Tyler Perry’s top-grossing films and hit TV shows, Will Packer, Co-Founder and Chairman, Rainforest Films, who is a #1 box-office hit maker named by Daily Variety Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Money Makers in Hollywood,” Cliff Charles, Award winning Director of Photography (Spike Lee’s "When the Levees Broke"), and the legendary lighting designer/director Walter Glover, CEO, Productions Designs West.

BronzeLens FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

All BronzeLens Workshops and Master Classes take place at the Festival’s headquarters hotel, the magnificent Atlanta Marriott Marquis. All juried screenings are shown at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium. Locations of special Festival feature screenings will be announced.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

8:00 am Registration until 5:00 pm at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis

9:00 am – 10:15 am  Workshop: Georgia Tax Incentives on My Mind
Panelists:
Noel Paynter, Esq., CPA
Kenyatta Mitchell, Kenjam, LLC
Paul Garnes, Tyler Perry Studios
Lee Thomas, Director of Film, Georgia Film, Music and Digital Gaming Office

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Screenings at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm  MASTER CLASS: The Magic of Lighting with the legendary Walter Glover
Featuring: Walter Glover, CEO, Productions Designs West

Workshop: Breaking Through the Clutter: Marketing for Indie Filmmaker
Panelists:
Tirrell Whittley, Principal/CEO, Liquid Soul Media
James Anderson, Senior Vice President, Public Relations Turner Animation
Nick Nelson, Principal/COO, Liquid Soul Media
Sharon Amos, Founder and CEO, Afterglow Multimedia, LLC
Chris C. Hayes, Founder, CEO, Principal Designer, Amalgamated Pixels
Caralene Robinson, Boost Mobile

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm  Opening Night Screening – TBD

10:00 pm  Opening Night Reception, Hosted by Roger Bobb, Executive Vice President of Tyler Perry Studios


Friday, November 12, 2010

8:00 am Registration until 5:00 pm at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis

9:00 am – 10:20 am  Workshop: The Business of the Industry
Panelists:
Faith Kutulu, ABL Creative
Bernard H. Coleman Jr., Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge, and Rice, PLLC
Linda Cannon, Rowdy Productions/Linda Cannon Productions
Kris Bagwell, EVP, EUE/Screen Gems
Sherri McGee McCovey, Coordinating Producer, The Mo'Nique Show

10:30 am – Noon  Workshop: The New Frontier: Doing Business in Brazil
Presented by:
John Christmas, Sport and Entertainment Attorney
Joe Bennett, Entertainment and Sports Consultant

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Screenings at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm  MASTER CLASS: The Art of Cinematography with Cliff Charles

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm  Workshop: The “It” Factor: Casting by the Experts
Panelists:
Daryl Cohen, Attorney, Actor, former pres. Nat’l Board SAG
Nevaina Rhodes, Acting Coach
Margo Gabriel, Real People Latino
Sharon Morris, Actor
David Conley, Actor, Writer, Director

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm  Special Documentary Screening Presentation:
“The Other City,” Produced by Sheila C. Johnson

In every city, there’s another city that visitors rarely see. But this other city isn’t just anywhere—it’s in Washington, D.C. The very city that is home to the capitol of the most powerful country in the world has an HIV/AIDS rate that is not only the nation’s highest, but rivals some African countries. “The Other City” introduces us to the people who live in the shadow of the Capitol but remain almost invisible to the lawmakers and lobbyists who live there. It’s about politics and ideology, corruption and bureaucracy, and an epidemic that grew out of control while few people paid any attention or cared. The film is co-produced by Susan Koch, Michelle D. Freeman, Jose Antonio Vargas, Jeff Werner and Neil Barrett. Johnson is an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose accomplishments span the areas of hospitality, sports, TV/film, the arts, education and humanitarian causes.

10:30 pm until After Party at Straits with DJ Salah Ananse

Saturday, November 13, 2010

8:00 am Registration until noon at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis

8:00 am – 9:45 am  Bus tour of Movie Locations in the ATL / Limited Seating – includes breakfast!

10:00 am – 11:30 am  Workshop: Alternative Careers in Film with Roger Bobb
Presented by Roger Bobb, Executive Vice President – Tyler Perry Studios
Panelists:
Angi Bones, Producer
Derrick Deuce, Technical Director
Kim Fields, Actor, Director

10:00 am – 11:30 am  Location Scouting and Getting the Right Permits
Panelists:
Albert B Cooper, Location Scout
Sara Christmas, Location Scout
Stacii Jae Johnson, Special Events Manager, Office of the Mayor
Lynn W. Mathis, CPCU, Williams, Turner and Mathis, Inc

10:00 am – 11:30 am  Workshop: Digital Gaming in the ATL
Panelists:
Asante Bradford, Georgia Office of Economic Development
Nicole Wright – Business Development Manager, Advanced Communication and Information Technology, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Deborah Thomas, CEO and President, Silly Monkey
Faith Kutulu, ABL Creative
Chris Rickwood, Rickwood Music

Noon – 2:00 pm Women SuperStars Luncheon: Honoring extraordinary women of color with remarkable accomplishments both in front of and behind the BronzeLens.
The Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Omari Hardwick, Mistress and Master of Ceremonies

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Screenings at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm  MASTER CLASS: An Eye for Producing with Will Packer, Rainforest Films

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm  Workshop: Music for the Big Screen
Panelists:
Buster Lou Brown, Musician
Kevin “Khao” Cates, Musician
Evita Kaigler, Entertainment Attorney
Blue Frank, Studioplex Studios
Bruce Birch, Director, Music and Entertainment Business Program, Kennesaw State University

8:00 pm  Closing Night Premiere Screening:
"I Will Follow," a drama written and directed by Ava Du Vernay; starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Michole White, Omari Hardwick and Beverly Todd.

10:00 pm  Closing Night Party – TBA

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Cinema and Social Justice Sunday
(Free and Open to the Public)
The Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center Auditorium
Spelman College

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm  Screenings: Social Justice Shorts

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Panel: Cinema and Social Justice

Atlanta is considered home to the civil rights movement. Discussion centers on creating socially relevant films that address issues of concern.

Featuring: Rachel Watanabe-Batton

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Reception and viewing of civil rights exhibit "Equally Yoked" in the Spelman College Museum

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Screening of “Saint Augustine”

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Screening TBA
BronzeLens Youth Festival, presented by Kids With Strong Opinions Inc.

Sunday, November 14, 2010
(Free and Open to the Public)

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Auditorium, located in downtown Atlanta 1 Margaret Mitchell Square NW Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Featured screening: "The Soloist,” a 2009 American drama film directed by Joe Wright. Immediately following the screening there will be a panel discussion with the young actor Justin Martin III who played the part of Nathaniel Ayers as a child in the movie.

Joining Justin on the panel will be Mrs. Jennifer Ayers-Moore, the founder and chair of the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation and sister to Nathaniel Ayers, the subject of the book and film The Soloist. Ayers-Moore is an outspoken advocate for the artistically gifted mentally ill.

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Savannah Film Festival announces 2010 panels and workshops

The 2010 Savannah Film Festival, which runs Oct. 30-Nov. 6, has announced its program of panels and workshops. A diverse group of film professionals–designers, cinematographers, writers, directors–from the industry’s top television and movie studios will participate in panel and question and answer discussions on a variety of topics about the film, television and digital media business.

Among the top professionals hosting the variety of panels are:
The dialog, sound and film editors behind ABC’s hit series, “Lost;”
Michael Lembeck, the Emmy Award-winning director of “Friends” and the feature films “The In-Laws” and “The Santa Clause 2;”
Denise Cramsey, the seven-time Emmy Award-nominated producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Trading Spaces;”
Carson Kressley, the fashion expert on Bravo's “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and the host of 'How to Look Good Naked' and “True Beauty;”
Barry Rosenbush, the Emmy Award-winning producer of the “High School Musical” series;
Lev Spiro, the director of “Weeds,” “Ugly Betty” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”

Panels and workshops will include:
“The Next Big Hit,” how to package and sell your idea;
“The Cable Documentary,” how the cable documentary goes from idea to the screen;
“Getting The Gig,” reality television hosts discuss how to create your brand;
“Young Director’s Forum,” advice on going from student director to professional;
“Casting Director, Actor Agent,” advice for aspiring casting directors, agents and actors;
“Kodak presents STOP BY. SHOOT FILM,” a fun learning opportunity – talk to a top cinematographer; learn how to use a 16mm camera; and film and shoot your own scene – all under two hours.

Panels are $5 for the general public; $3 for students, seniors and military; and free for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID.

For more information, visit www.scad.edu/filmfest.


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Decatur Artwalk to Kick Off Decatur Wine Festival Weekend

Decatur galleries, retailers and restaurants will kick off the Decatur Wine Festival with a Friday evening ArtWalk. This single-night art experience, which is free and open to the public, will feature citywide openings and receptions. Visit local businesses that have invited an artist or have displayed a collection of art and enjoy complimentary food and beverages on Friday, November 5 from 5-10 p.m. Please visit www.decaturartsalliance.org or www.decaturwinefestival.com for more information.
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Southern Poets Festival Hosted at Emory

Emory University Libraries and its Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (MARBL) will host the Poetry Society of America’s (PSA) centennial events in the South on Thursday, Oct. 7.

The day’s events start with an afternoon panel and an evening of readings by Southern poets, both free and open to the public, then conclude with a ticketed benefit reception, sponsored by the PSA, MARBL and the Hightower Fund.

Emory is an ideal location for the Festival of Southern Poets because MARBL strives to be a center for Southern verse and poetry in general, with holdings from noteworthy poets like James Dickey to international bards such as Seamus Heaney, according to Kevin Young, curator of MARBL’s literary collections and the Raymond Danowski Poetry Library.

“We chose Emory as the place to have our Southern Centennial event because we admire Kevin Young’s work with the Danowski Poetry Library,” says Alice Quinn, executive director of the PSA. “Emory is a hub for contemporary poetry with major collections of poets’ papers and a lively series of poetry events throughout the year, and Atlanta is one of America’s great literary hotbeds.”

The poets featured at the 6 p.m. readings include Pulitzer Prize winners Claudia Emerson and Natasha Trethewey, MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Award” winner C.D. Wright, and Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award winner Thomas Lux.

“These are some of the best poets around, and this is a great opportunity to see all of these poets at once,” Young says.

The panel of poets at 4 p.m. will talk about their views of Southern poetry and discuss the future of poetry in the South with the audience. “I am looking forward to hearing how these writers view being a Southern poet, how it affects them and what they think about. They are the future of Southern poetry,” Young says.

The schedule is as follows:

• 4 p.m.: “The Future of Southern Poetry,” panel with Beth Bachmann, Sean Hill, Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon and Jake Adam York. Moderated by Kevin Young. Jones Room, Level 3, Robert W. Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322. Free and open to the public. Information: mmcgavi@emory.edu, 404.727.6898, http://web.library.emory.edu/news-events.

• 6 p.m.: “Poets of the American South 1910-2010.” Poetry readings, with Claudia Emerson, Forrest Gander, Thomas Lux, Natasha Trethewey, C.D. Wright, and Kevin Young. Glenn Memorial Auditorium, 1652 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322. Free and open to the public. Information: mmcgavi@emory.edu, 404.727.6898, http://web.library.emory.edu/news-event

• 8 p.m.: Centennial Benefit Reception – cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene, and informal conversation with the poets following the readings. Woodruff Room, Level 10 (MARBL), Robert W. Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322. Tickets $50; contact Aimee Walker at aimee@poetrysociety.org or 212.254.9628.

The Festival of Southern Poets is one of six PSA regional centennial celebrations across the country, each featuring a different lineup of poets, in various cities including Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York City.



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It's FOUR Big Medals for the Diamond Anniversary Dogwood Festival

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Honored With Festival Association Awards

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival was thrilled at the recent 2010 International Festivals and Events Association’s Pinnacle Awards when the city’s oldest festival showed its youthful prowess by bringing home four awards. Winning in categories like sponsorship, eco-friendliness, community outreach and children’s programming, the 75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival remains as relevant and vital to the city as it was when Walter Rich created it in 1936.

“We are ecstatic about these four wins,” said festival Executive Director Brian Hill. “Each year, we work hard to make sure the festival stays exciting and current to attendees from Atlanta and beyond. These awards are confirmation that we’ve been getting it right!”

The Dogwood Festival brought home the Gold for Best Sponsor Follow-up Report thanks to the efforts of sponsorship team MixIt Marketing. Having happy sponsors is key to keeping the Dogwood Festival entrance free as it has been for the past 74 years.

For the second year, the International Village won a Silver award in the category of Best Community Outreach. The International Village featured an International Stage with acts inspired by all parts of the globe that paid homage to the diversity of Atlanta’s populations. International organizations also hosted booths within the Village, providing edutainment about their individual countries and cultures. Back again as part of this area were the decorated golf carts, decorated by international consulates and organizations. For 2010, the golf carts were provided by Peachtree City and decorated to reflect different nations. Throughout the weekend, attendees had a chance to vote for their favorite golf cart, and 2010’s big winner was Mexico.

Two Bronze awards came home with the Dogwood team too - one for Best Environmental Program and the other for Best New Event. The environmental award came from the Green Initiative partnership the festival enacted with the U.S. Green Building Council – Georgia Chapter. This Green Initiative included lots of recycling, the use of only compostable containers and supplies by all vendors, the turning over of used cooking oil for future bio-diesel and more. With the Green Initiative, the Dogwood Festival became a truly sustainable large-scale event. The Atlanta High School Art Exhibition earned the Best Children’s Programming award. This showcase of some of the city’s best young creative talent welcomed more than 600 entries from 58 schools in 2010 and supplied winners with nearly $30,000 in prizes and scholarships.

The International Festival & Events Association is the premiere association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide. With the 75th annual festival coming to Atlanta in the spring of 2011, festival organizers are already looking for ways to enhance these and other aspects of this historic event.

The city’s longest-running festival, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing the annual springtime celebration of arts and entertainment. The 75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival will take place April 15 – 17, 2010. The festival offices are located at 887 West Marietta Street, Studio S-105, Atlanta, Georgia 30318. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival can be reached at 404-817-6642 or visited online at www.dogwood.org.
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SCAD Announces 2010 Savannah Film Festival Competition Films and Jurors

The Savannah College of Art and Design has announced the competition film lineup and jurors for its 13th annual Savannah Film Festival, scheduled for Oct. 30-Nov. 6 in historic downtown Savannah.

Competition Films (for a complete list of all competition films, please contact ashearer@scad.edu)

Competitions will be held in the categories of narrative features, documentary features, professional shorts, animated shorts and student entries. This year’s films in competition come from almost a dozen different countries including Cambodia, Japan, Brazil, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. Among the 35 films in competition are:

• Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Bill Plympton’s animated short, “The Cow Who Wanted to be a Hamburger” about a cow seduced by advertising and led down the path of butchers and carnivores.
• Emmy Award-nominated MTV animator Patrick Smith’s musical short, “Masks,” a “Fantasia”-like animated interpretation of the music of rock musician Karl von Kries.
• “Dressed,” the inspirational story of fashion designer Nary Manivong, who defied the odds of a broken childhood and homelessness to follow his dream of showing his collection at New York's Fashion Week.
• “Quadrangle,” a compelling documentary about two middle-class couples, encouraged by the free-love zeitgeist of the '60s and '70s, who find a way out of their disappointing marriages by striking up an unusual four-way love affair.
• “Night Catches Us,” a feature film starring Anthony Mackie of “The Hurt Locker,” is about one man in 1976 dealing with the aftermath of the black power movement.
• “The Kid,” starring Rupert Friend of “Young Victoria,” is an adaptation of the best-selling memoir of the same name about a young man, beaten and bullied at home, who becomes caught up in the criminal underworld of London, where he was known as “The Kid.”

Competition Jurors

The jurors for this year’s Film Festival include:
• James Foley, director, “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “At Close Range,” TV’s “Twin Peaks”
• Lisa Gillian, head of production and development for Red Om Films, Julia Roberts’ production company
• Lynn Hirshfeld, Participant Media’s senior vice president of publishing, involved in production of “The Kite Runner,” “Charlie Wilson’s War,” “Good Night and Good Luck,” “An Inconvenient Truth”
• Alicia Lipinski, vice president of development at Headlong Entertainment
• Stephen Nathan, executive producer for the television series, “Bones.” Emmy nominee for writing “Tracey Takes On…” Produced “Laverne & Shirley,” “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Joan of Arcadia”
• Amy Robinson, producer, “Julie & Julia,” “After Hours.” Actress, “Mean Streets”
• Kaila York, founder of Headlong Entertainment, a literary management and film production company

For more information on the films in competition, visit www.scad.edu/filmfest. Further information about the Savannah Film Festival, including special screenings and guests, is forthcoming.

ABOUT THE SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL
Featuring the best in independent and innovative film from around the world, the Savannah Film Festival presents a full range of cinematic creativity from both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers, bringing world-renowned filmmakers, producers, actors and journalists, as well as other film enthusiasts, to SCAD and Savannah for eight days of feature films, lectures, workshops, panels and competition films from a range of genres. Highlights of the festival include intimate “coffee talks” with film professionals, Q & A panels, lectures and special screenings. Last year’s Savannah Film Festival previewed award-winning films prior to their release, including “The Hurt Locker,” “Precious,” “Up in the Air,” “The White Ribbon,” “An Education” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” among others. The Festival played host to Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Jeremy Renner, Hugh Dancy, Emmy Rossum and Patricia Clarkson. Past festival guests and honorees include John Waters, John Sayles, James Franco, James Ivory, Jeff Daniels, Alec Baldwin, Peter Bart, Roger Ebert, Terrence Malick, Sydney Pollack, the Redgrave siblings (Vanessa, Lynn and Corin), Malcolm McDowell and Milos Forman, among others. Passes to the Savannah Film Festival will be available for purchase through the SCAD box office, 216 E. Broughton St., online at www.scadboxoffice.com or by phone at 912.525.5050.

PLEASE NOTE: THESE TICKET OUTLETS ARE NOT OPEN YET. FURTHER INFORMATION ON TICKET AVAILABILITY IS FORTHCOMING.

Individual tickets to screenings and workshops will be available through the SCAD box office beginning Friday, October 1 at 10 a.m. Morning and afternoon screenings and panels will be $5 for the general public; $3 for students, seniors and military; and free for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID. The price for tickets to the evening screenings will be $10 for the general public and $5 for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID. The Savannah Film Festival schedule is subject to change.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution that offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in 43 majors. Visit scad.edu.

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44th Annual Roswell Arts Festival

September 18 and 19, 2010

The Tradition Continues…

This event helped establish and cement Roswell’s reputation as an arts community and it just keeps giving back to the community in so many ways.

The Event itself features fine arts and high quality original craft created by artists and artisans from throughout the Southeastern U.S. Musical Entertainment, Dance and an array of entertainment highlight the days.

A fun outing for the entire family …. But this festival is so much more. Sponsored by the Roswell Recreation Association, proceeds from the event benefit the recreational needs of the community. The Roswell Arts Festival has made financial contributions toward many of the parks and activities that Roswell has to offer its citizens today. Funds have been donated for the purchase of park land, buildings and furnishings of buildings, equipment, plans, matching funds to obtain grants or make purchases, and probably the most noticeable donation was the Sprayground that opened in 2009 at Riverside Park. The Sprayground was definitely a splashing success. But, it became apparent that shade would make the experience even more fun. So, the Roswell Recreation Association jumped right in (ok, make that waded right in) and provided the funds to erect shade, making the sprayground an even more enjoyable experience.

The terrific all volunteer Roswell Recreation Association makes it possible for all the funds raised from the Roswell Arts Festival to go for use in the Roswell Recreation and Parks Department. They invite you to come to Town Square on September 18 & 19, enjoy some incredible artwork, the ambiance of the Town Square and experience a wonderful community event.

A free shuttle will run from City Hall to the Historic Town Square each day of the event from 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.

An array of festive foods will be available from a variety of vendors tempting you with so many delicious treats!

www.roswellartsfestival.com

Entertainment:

A variety of entertainment highlights the two days. Just some of the groups you will be able to enjoy:

Saturday, September 18:

Tolbert/Yilmaz Dance Studio
Peggy Still School of Music
Victor Johnson (easy listening singer & songwriter)
Harm’s Way (folk musicians)
Paris Luna (legendary Southeast Pop Music Group)
10 Miles of Blue (Indie Pop recording artist)

Sunday, September 19

Atlanta Dance Central
Roswell City Dance
Peggy Still School of Music
Larry Chapman (Americana Music)
Joy parkman (easy listening singer/songwriter
Highway 92 (Roswell’s Southern Rock Band)

44th Annual Roswell Arts Festival - Judge

Barrett Edwards
Ms. Edwards’ representational oils bring light, color and emotion to painting. She is a 3rd generation artist whose award-winning work first drew attention in France. Her introductory exhibition in Paris, sold out. That success was followed shortly by exhibits at the historic Salon d’Autumne at the Grand Palais in Paris; the Grand Prix International de Peinture de Deauville; and the Grand Prix International de la Cote d’Azur. She has exhibited at Galerie Jean Lammelin (Paris), Atelier Melusine (Switzerland), and her work has been published in a German Calendar.
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2010 Duluth Fall Festival Sept 25, 26

Carnival begins Wednesday thru Sunday, September 22-26
“Rupert’s Orchestra” Concert: Saturday, September 11
Saturday, September 25
Sunday, September 26

More than 350 arts and crafts booths and food vendors highlight the 28th annual Duluth Fall Festival. This family-friendly event includes a parade, music, dancers, a full size carnival and a 5K road race. The two-day celebration is held in historic downtown Duluth, Georgia on the last Saturday and Sunday in September and is consistently voted one of the best Festivals in the region.

NEW THIS YEAR: The festival will feature a full carnival that begins on Wednesday and runs through the end of the festival. Kids will have fun in the games area, which has activities for all ages, from face painting and sand art to carnival rides.

The annual Concert will be held on Saturday, September 11, at 6:30 on the Towne Green. This year will feature Rupert’s Orchestra, the top party band in the Southeast, who plays everything from current Top 40 hits to Motown and Classic Rock to the 1940’s Big Band Sound. Opening act will feature Kozmic Mama. Admission is FREE.

Kicking off the Festival on Saturday morning is the parade, which includes school bands and orchestras, antique automobiles, local school cheerleaders and sports teams. Immediately following the parade is an opening ceremony honoring local dignitaries. The day is filled with a wide variety of continuous entertainment showcased on three stages. The arts and craft booths offer an amazing variety of hand-crafted merchandise. Food vendors offer kettle corn, BBQ, roasted corn, gyros, and, of course, funnel cakes.

Sunday morning at 8 a.m. starts with a 5K road race / walk through downtown Duluth. Afterwards, a local church holds a non-denominational community worship service. The remainder of Sunday is full of more entertainment, arts and crafts, and great food.

Parking in downtown Duluth is limited; free shuttle service is available from four offsite parking locations. For more information about the Duluth Fall Festival, see the following web site: www.duluthfallfestival.org .

The Duluth Fall Festival started in 1983 and has been an annual event ever since. More than 400 volunteers work throughout the year planning the Festival. All proceeds from the Festival go towards improving and beautifying historic downtown Duluth. Some examples of the improvements made possible by the Festival Committee include Taylor Park and the Festival Center amphitheatre.
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Norcross Art Fest Expands with Whimsical and Colorful Exhibits

Historic Norcross will be busting with creative artwork and whimsical displays as more than 170 local and national artists line the charming streets at the seventh annual, invitation-only ART FEST October 2 - 3, 2009. The show will open Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. “

Norcross Art Fest is always the fun festival with the colorful personality,” says Frances Schube, ART FEST Co-owner. We have hand-picked the most talented and entertaining artists from around the country in painting, folk art, photography, pottery, jewelry, metalworking and so much more. That means, there’s something for everyone, and the result is the best two-day art event in Gwinnett County.

“This year, we are increasing the artist market, so that festival-goers have more fun art to explore.” Schube, along with her partner, Cindy Flynn of Splash Festivals, also produce the successful Dunwoody Art Festival held on Mother’s Day weekend in the heart of the City of Dunwoody.

The weekend celebration draws crowds of 30,000 – 40,000 annually and will feature continuous jazz, bluegrass and live entertainment on Thrasher Park stage, as well as great food and exciting children’s rides. As a special bonus from the City of Norcross, Friday night, October 1 from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm, the Stephen Lee Band will be playing the blues, and Saturday night, October 2 from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm, and the Beau Hall Band will be singing the blues as well for the crowds. The popular Kidz Zone returns with the lively art pavilion for young artists of all ages to enjoy free arts and crafts projects, and Thrasher Park’s expanded playground is a must-see for youngsters and their parents.

A silent auction filled with decorated chairs by local school students will be waiting for the highest bidders at the Norcross Art Fest “chairs for charity” booth, managed by the Norcross Arts Alliance. Local Historic Norcross boutiques, shops and restaurants will also be open during the event to welcome visitors. Proceeds go to the Norcross Lions Club to be distributed to their wonderful charities. Parking and shuttle service are free. For more information, check out www.NorcrossArtFest.com
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Savannah Film Festival Presents Emmy Rossum With the Young Hollywood Award Nov. 2

/PRNewswire/ -- The 12th annual Savannah Film Festival, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design, presented Emmy Rossum with the Young Hollywood Award on Nov. 2.

"I'm extremely honored to be given this award," said Rossum. "This award and the incredible student films shown here at the festival show that SCAD has an eye on the future of film, as well as an appreciation of its past. I'm delighted to be here to accept this."

Rossum's starring performance as Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera" in 2004 earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. Her acting performance in "Songcatcher" earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination in the category of Best Debut Performance. Other past film credits include the Clint Eastwood-directed drama "Mystic River," "Poseidon," "The Day After Tomorrow" with Jake Gyllenhaal, "Dragonball" and "Happy Now."

At age 7, Rossum began singing at the Metropolitan Opera, and she has since performed with such musical talents as Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Dolly Parton. In 2007, Rossum recorded her first album for Geffen Records, "Inside Out." She wrote and recorded all her own songs. She is currently working on her second album.

Following the presentation, film festival attendees were treated to a late night special screening of the independent drama, "Dare," starring Rossum. "Dare" follows three teenagers through their last semester of school, who make a last-ditch effort to shake things up by taking the biggest risks of their lives before they actually have to start living as adults. "Dare" will be released theatrically by Image Entertainment Nov. 13.

The day began with a special screening of "Valentino: The Last Emperor," the acclaimed portrait of Valentino Garavani, the man behind the legendary couture label Valentino. The film focuses on the period between Valentino's 70th birthday and his final couture show. After the film, director Matt Tyrnauer joined Vogue Editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley for an in-depth look at the making of the film.

Attendees were also treated to a special screening of "The City of Your Final Destination," with an appearance by the multi-Academy Award-nominated director, James Ivory. Directed by Ivory and written by his longtime collaborator Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, "The City of Your Destination" stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney. It tells the story of a young American academic who attempts to persuade the reluctant heirs of a celebrated Uruguayan novelist to allow him to write an authorized biography of the writer, who has recently died.

Throughout the day there were also narrative feature competition screenings. Among those films competing was "Mercy," written and starring Scott Caan, who made a special appearance at the Festival. "Mercy" centers around a successful but cynical young writer who writes about love but does not really believe in it until he meets someone who turns his world upside down. Playing Caan's on-screen father is his real father, Academy Award-nominated actor James Caan.

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2009 Savannah Film Festival Opens October 31

/PRNewswire/ -- The 2009 annual Savannah Film Festival, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design opened last night with the university's President Paula Wallace presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award to Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster for recognition of their work in the acclaimed drama, "The Messenger." Also, on hand to share the tribute was the film's director and co-writer, Oren Moverman. Following the tribute to both actors festival goers were treated to a special screening of the film.

Looking out over the audience, Foster accepted his award from President Wallace by exclaiming, "Holy Smokes! I want to thank SCAD for inviting us...I'm deeply inspired by you and Savannah."

Harrelson also graciously accepted his award from President Wallace, who applauded him for his support of sustainable living and invited him to apply for SCAD's new degree in Design for Sustainability. Referring to his recent film, "Zombieland," filmed outside of Atlanta, he said, "When I was filming earlier this year, I was told that I've got to go to Savannah, the best city in Georgia...there just weren't enough zombies to kill."

In "The Messenger," Ben Foster stars as Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer who has just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army's Casualty Notification service. Partnered with fellow officer Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front. The film hits select theatres on November 13th.

Harrelson's critically acclaimed portrayal of controversial magazine publisher Larry Flynt in Milos Forman's "The People vs. Larry Flynt" garnered him best actor Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild nominations. Other highlights from Harrelson's film career include "No Country For Old Men," "The Thin Red Line," "Ed TV," "Wag the Dog," "Kingpin," "Natural Born Killers," "Indecent Proposal" and "White Men Can't Jump," among others. He won an Emmy in 1988 for his role in the NBC sitcom "Cheers" and was nominated four additional times during his eight-year run on the show. He later made a return to television with a recurring guest role on the hit NBC series, "Will and Grace."

Foster has starred in such films as "Alpha Dog," "3:10 to Yuma," and "X-Men 3."

On television, he starred in the HBO drama "Six Feet Under," for which he was nominated for two SAG awards. His other television work includes "Freaks and Geeks" and the Emmy-nominated HBO film "The Laramie Project." His performance in Showtime's "Bang Bang You're Dead," a meditation on school shootings, garnered him a Daytime Emmy.

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Celebrate History at Cowboy Festival

/PRNewswire/ -- October 22 - 25, the Booth Western Art Museum will host the 7th Annual Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium, the South's largest celebration of Western art. Special guests for this year's event include artist Buck McCain and cowboy poet Baxter Black.

The weekend begins Thursday evening, October 22 with a lecture by McCain, a fifth generation rancher equally well known for his paintings and sculpture. On Friday, McCain will present a daylong art workshop at the Booth Art Academy.

The theme for this year's art symposium is "Western Art in Context." On Friday art curators Jerry Smith, Phoenix Art Museum; Dr. Graham Boettcher, Birmingham Museum of Art; Anne Morand, C. M. Russell Museum; Mindy Besaw, Buffalo Bill Historical Center; and Dr. Stephen Graffe, Maryhill Art Museum will discuss Western art in American art galleries, the exhibition of Native American artifacts and more.

Throughout the rest of the weekend guests can enjoy concerts Friday and Saturday, re-enactments of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, children's activities, chuck wagon cooking, Native American dancing, cowboy church and living history encampments. All activities take place on the grounds of the Booth Museum or at the Grand Theatre, both located in downtown Cartersville.

The Cowboy Festival and Symposium celebrates America's rich Western heritage. The Booth Museum's Executive Director Seth Hopkins said, "The Symposium is a unique opportunity for area residents to experience the West without leaving the South. Those attending the event will hopefully come away with a greater appreciation of our Western experience as it is portrayed in the Museum's collections. There are plenty of fun and entertaining activities planned for all ages, but we also want to emphasize the educational aspect of each activity that will be part of the weekend."

The Booth Museum was recently expanded to 120,000 square feet of space and has more gallery space dedicated to Western art than any museum in the country. Guests at the museum explore the American West primarily through the work of living artists. Recent additions include historic Western art borrowed from museums across the country and an exhibition of Native American artifacts. The Museum also features a Presidential Gallery, a Civil War art gallery, and Sagebrush Ranch - a children's interactive gallery.

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12th Annual Savannah Film Festival - October 31-November 7 - to Include Gala Screenings and Special Guests

/PRNewswire/ -- The 12th annual Savannah Film Festival, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design, will take place from Saturday, October 31-Saturday, November 7.

Films to receive special gala screenings will include Jean-Marc Vallee's "The Young Victoria"; Oren Moverman's "The Messenger," with Moverman and stars Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in attendance; Grant Heslov's "The Men Who Stare at Goats"; Pedro Almodovar's "Broken Embraces"; Lone Sherfig's "An Education"; the United States premieres of James Ivory's "The City of Your Final Destination," with Ivory in attendance, and Nick Moran's "Telstar," with Moran and star Con O'Neill in attendance; Jodie Markell's "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond" (from a screenplay by Tennessee Williams); Cannes Palme d'Or winner Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon"; and Lee Daniels' "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," winner of the Grand-Jury Prize at Sundance and the Audience Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Daniels and star Gabourey Sidibe will be in attendance.

Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson ("Pieces of April," "Vicki Cristina Barcelona") will receive an Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award after a screening of Woody Allen's "Whatever Works". Emmy and Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson ("Cheers," "The People vs. Larry Flynt") and Ben Foster ("3:10 to Yuma") will also receive Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Awards prior to their screening of "The Messenger." Emmy Rossum ("The Phantom of the Opera") will receive the Young Hollywood Award prior to a screening of her film "Dare," and Jeremy Renner will receive the Spotlight Award for his performance in "The Hurt Locker," which will also screen at the festival. Scott Caan ("Ocean's 11"), the writer and star of "Mercy," one of the festival's competition films, also will attend.

Past festival guests and honorees include Peter O'Toole, Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, Sidney Lumet, Kathleen Turner, Norman Jewison, Tommy Lee Jones, John Waters, David Benioff, John Sayles, Brett Ratner, Charlie Rose, George Segal, James Franco, James Ivory, Jeff Daniels, Alec Baldwin, Peter Bart, Army Archerd, Roger Ebert, Terrence Malick, Sydney Pollack, the Redgrave siblings -- Vanessa, Lynn and Corin -- Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Malcolm McDowell and Milos Forman, among others.

In addition to the special screenings, the festival will showcase 22 professional films (features, documentaries, shorts and animation) and 12 student films in competition. The jurors for the competition are actress Patti D'Arbanville ("Rescue Me"), actress/producer Rita Gam, writer/director Ingrid Rockefeller, writer/director Michael Sucsy (Emmy-Award winning "Grey Gardens") and writer/director David Twohy ("Pitch Black").

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2009 Westobou Festival Sept 17 - 26

The 2009 Westobou Festival, September 17 – 26, celebrates excellence in the arts and will feature performances by local, regional, and nationally-recognized artists. Performances, including dance, music, theater and visual arts, are taking place in downtown Augusta, at Augusta State University and Paine College, and in North Augusta, S. C.

Each day and evening of the Festival will be filled with a variety of presentations designed to dazzle visitors and showcase Augusta’s wealth of artistic talent. Whether your passion is contemporary theatrical performances or traditional symphony events, strolling through gallery exhibitions or listening to jazz, you’ll find it all . . . and more . . . at the 2009 Westobou Festival.

Highlights of the 2009 Festival include concerts featuring The Avett Brothers, Keb’ Mo’ and Patricia Barber - presented by the Westobou Festival. Other highlights include the 29th Annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival presented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, Video Games Live presented by the Symphony Orchestra Augusta, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage presented by The Morris Museum of Art and the Greater Augusta Arts Council within the Southern Soul and Song Series, Elisabeth von Trapp in Concert presented by The Riverwalk Series, Inc., Steel Magnolias presented by The Augusta Players, Sitka Trio and The Blind Boys of Alabama presented by Augusta State University, Langston Hughes’ Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods of Jazz featuring the Ron McCurdy Quartet presented by the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, American Ballet Theatre II presented by Augusta Ballet, Inc . . . and much, much more!

The Westobou Festival was conceived in 2005 by the Trustees of the Academy of Richmond County, in conjunction with their work on behalf of the Porter Fleming Foundation. The Foundation was created in 1963 by Augusta resident Berry Fleming to honor his father, Porter Fleming. The Trustees have contracted with Augusta Westobou Festival, Inc. to produce the Westobou Festival. Now in its second year, the 2009 Westobou Festival is shaping up to include performances that will appeal to a variety of audiences, and attract visitors from the Southeast. The 2008 Festival drew over 100,000 visitors from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, and Florida . . . and as far away as California, New York and Illinois. The festival’s website received over 1.5 million hits! This year’s event is poised to be even bigger and better.

Check www.WestobouFestival.com for the 2009 schedule of events, maps, and hotel partner information.
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