Simply Buckhead March/April 2026

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs

Upper Westside

LIVING

Photos:

28: Patrick Heagney, 48, 73, 82: Erik Meadows

Contents

STYLISH

42 FASHION Fit Factor

Tips from a Buckhead “Bra Whisperer”

44 BEAUTY

The Right Match

Nail makeup colors for your skin tone

46 WELLNESS

Eat Well, Live Vibrantly

How to jumpstart the Mediterranean diet

48 TASTEMAKER

A Cut Above

Dyana Nematalla’s Sirène Salon has carved a niche

FAMILY

56 KIDS

Camp, Simplified

A new platform eases parents’ planning

58 PETS

Silent Cues

Reading your pet’s body language

60 STRATEGIES

It’s the Climb

Reach new heights with these expert indoor rock climbing tips

CULTURE

64 ON STAGE

A Creative Chameleon

Shay Bennett’s career has taken many forms

66 LITERARY

Where in the World

A recurring dream and a love of travel inspired a book series

68 TASTEMAKER

From Strangers to Community

Alyssa Fagien invites people to come together through social events

69 EVENTS

Places to go and things to do

COVER STORY

73 Lights, Camera, Action!

Stars of TV and film plus the innovators boosting Georgia’s film industry

DELICIOUS

82 REVIEW Go Fish

Seafood still reigns at Atlanta Fish Market

86 DRINKS

The Bitter End Variations that prove that the Negroni is genius

88 FOODIE JOURNAL

Personal Taste

Mirae brings modern Asianfusion flavors to Brookhaven

90 TASTEMAKER

CT Cantina’s Secret Sauce? Family!

How Rafael Jaime blends tradition, talent and teamwork in every taco

92 Featured Restaurants

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

BEHIND THE COVER

For the cover of our “Lights, Camera, Action!” entertainment issue, shooting at Assembly Studios, the massive 135-acre mixed-use film complex just a few miles north of Buckhead, was an obvious choice. We tapped talented rising star actress Colby Natasha Nixon, who plays Kat Richardson on CBS’s “Beyond the Gates” soap opera—also filmed at Assembly—as our cover model. (Read a profile on the Brookhaven resident’s rise to daytime soap stardom on page 74.) Our team gathered in the studio’s “Jewel Box,” an elegant event space used for hosting functions, to photograph a pair of spring-perfect looks, styled by the show’s costume designer and stylist Jeresa Featherstone, a recent transplant from Los Angeles.

Photographer: Erik Meadows

Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Model: Colby Natasha Nixon

Stylist: Jeresa Featherstone

Makeup: Stevie Martin

Hair: Wankaya Hinkson

Wardrobe: Aje Agave Knit Raffia Midi Skirt in Lemon ($530), Aje Agave Knit Tank Top ($200), Apaya Cofre Bag in Pink ($280), Aquazzura Bisous Mule in Light Blush ($885), available at Tootsies. Earrings, stylist’s own.

Special thanks to Assembly Studios for hosting our team.

Erik Meadows

Caselove Productions

Editor's Letter

Ilove a good story. It’s probably what sparked my interest in becoming a writer as a student tasked with creating a novella for a second grade class project. Certainly the written word draws us in, but storytelling can, in some ways, become even more immersive on a screen—big or small.

With that in mind, our team is pleased to present this “Lights, Camera, Action!” themed issue, complete with profiles of local actors and a producer, and insight into some of our area’s most exciting mega studios. For readers hoping to get in on some of the filming action, writer Emily L. Foley breaks down how to succeed as a background actor, aka an extra. Our cover model, Colby Natasha Nixon, moved to the Buckhead area to star in “Beyond the Gates,” a modern soap opera filmed at Assembly Studios. Her tenacity is inspiring, and we know you’ll enjoy reading about her rise. Georgia’s film industry shows up in so many facets of life in Atlanta, and it’s fun to peek behind the scenes.

The rest of our pages are chock-full of stories that showcase what makes Buckhead and the surrounding areas great places to live and work. Writer Katie Hughes shares a host of microplastic-free products to upgrade your home in “Simply Approved.” Nicole Letts shares a close-to-home getaway at Satolah Creek Farm, a short drive north in Clayton, Georgia. Lauren Finney Harden profiles a vivid Brookhaven home designed by local interior designer Susie Prince. Here, I have the pleasure of sharing my bucket list trip to the Aman Venice, a hotel that has haunted my dreams for more than a decade. I hope it gives you a case of wanderlust in the best possible way.

As the calendar creeps toward spring, we hope this issue of Simply Buckhead will inspire you to explore the neighborhoods we call home and, maybe, indulge in a good story.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin Senior Contributing Editor

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com

For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895

Joanne Hayes

Publisher and Founder

Sonny Hayes

Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL

Giannina S. Bedford

Managing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Senior Contributing Editor

Alan Platten

Creative Director

H.M. Cauley

Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Karina Antenucci

Jill Becker

Chelsie Butler

H.M. Cauley

Carly Cooper

Lauren Finney Harden

Katie Hughes

Emily L. Foley

Mickey Goodman

Angela Hansberger

Denise K. James

Nicole Letts

Amy Meadows

Hope S. Philbrick

Claire Ruhlin

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Patrick Heagney

Erik Meadows

Joann Vitelli

SALES & ADVERTISING

Bea Bolia

Account Executive

Layal Akkad

Graphic Designer

DIGITAL

BHG Digital

Website Development Management

Mike Jose

Director of Audience Development

LEGAL

Scott I. Zucker

Legal Counsel

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Carly Cooper

A content strategist by day and lifestyle writer by night, Carly Cooper has a passion for food, fitness and travel.

A contributing writer for Simply Buckhead and contributing editor for Atlanta magazine, Cooper enjoys spending time with her husband, 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter at the pool, on the Beltline and at the city’s best restaurants. Born in Florida, Carly has lived in Atlanta for nearly 20 years, interspersed with trips across the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, Greece and Morocco. Need travel or local restaurant recommendations? Carly is your go-to gal.

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

Copyright © 2026 by Simply Buckhead All rights reserved.

Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.

Sara Hanna

husband

NEWS BY Nicole Letts

GENERATIONAL STORYTELLING

Big Play Entertainment

Comes to Dunwoody Dunwoody’s entertainment scene leveled up in November with the opening of Big Play Atlanta, a 42,000-square-foot multi-entertainment complex located at the Mount Vernon Shopping Center.

Founded by father-son duo Brandon and Ray Wooldridge, the venue first launched in Biloxi, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina to restore family entertainment to the Gulf Coast. The Dunwoody location, the company’s third, delivers an impressive lineup of family games and activities,

including 16 bowling lanes with LED lighting, over 60 arcade games, an ’80s-themed blacklight mini golf course, laser tag and a ValoArena mixed reality gaming experience in which players move in real time while their avatars appear on screen.

Woody’s Restaurant and Bar, a 240seat full-service eatery featuring a 25-person bar, completes the space. Whether you’re looking for family fun, date night or game-day headquarters, this multi-attraction entertainment hub offers something for everyone under one roof. bigplayatl.com • @big_play_atl

Facials Meet Fashion in Sandy Springs

Base Fashion and Facial Bar has opened in Sandy Springs. The new spa-meets-retail concept combines medical-grade skincare services alongside an upscale boutique.

Founded by Eldar Karen and Stefani Silverman, the open-concept studio with facial beds separated by curtains offers both traditional and advanced facial treatments. The spa offers services such as personalized skincare treatments, classic facials and high-tech treatments that use radio frequency sculpting, all

For Gabby and Mark Spatt, mahjong is more than a game; it’s a family connection. Gabby is a director of an Atlanta-based family foundation and co-helms the mahjong instructional company, Let’s Rack and Roll Mahjong, while Mark is a partner at an investment firm, but both are creatives at heart. Gabby published her first children’s book, Shabbat and Sunday Dinner, in 2022. But Mark is the one who wrote the skeleton for the couple’s coauthored book, Bubbe and Bams, as a poem for the Spatts’ 4-year-old son, Simon. With approval from her son, Gabby suggested the couple turn Mark’s poem into a lengthier story, published in October 2025. Through its pages, a Bubbe (grandmother) teaches her granddaughter how to play the game as the little girl’s imagination brings the tiles to life.

“We both grew up watching our grandmothers and our mothers play with friends; it’s in our DNA,” Gabby says. While he’s not quite old enough to play the full game, Simon is wellversed in the tiles, having learned to count and match with them.

The book reflects cultural roots while embracing inclusivity. After initially settling on the Yiddishinfluenced title Bubbe and Bams, which weaves in words such as l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation) and kibbitz (to chat), the couple created a second version of the book called Grandma Dottie’s Dots Both versions feature identical illustrations with only minor text changes, allowing families to choose their preferred cultural lens. Both books are $14.99 and are available at Kudzu and Veronica’s Attic in Sandy Springs as well as online. n themissingline.com • @themissingline

completed by licensed aestheticians. The business model targets clients seeking both beauty services and fashion shopping in a single location. coveryourbase.com • @coveryourbase

The Thompson Becomes The Tess

The Tess, a 201-room boutique hotel, reopened in Buckhead as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and Peregrine Hospitality’s portfolio. Formerly the Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, the hotel has been rebranded with more changes to design details coming later this year. Tesserae, for-

merly a private club, is the property’s rooftop restaurant serving American cuisine with panoramic city views. Other amenities include a rooftop pool, a fitness center with Peloton bikes and 18,000 square feet of event space. The Tess Collection, the hotel’s onsite library, was added to serve as a reading and listening room as well as a podcasting studio that can be booked by guests and locals alike. Accommodations range from standard rooms to a Presidential Suite with city views and a soaking tub. Room rates start at $279 per night. marriott.com • @tessinbuckheadatl

Early Detection is Key

Spreading the word

Because ovarian cancer can either be symptomless or mimic other gastrointestinal issues, it can become deadly before a woman ever receives a diagnosis. “There’s no test or vaccine, nor is there enough awareness among medical professionals,” says Doug Barron, executive director of The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance. “Our mission is to provide education about the risks, symptoms and treatment, and empower women to insist that their doctors look further when their symptoms persist.”

Barron became aware of ovarian cancer in 2001 when his mother-inlaw, Wendy Sharon, was diagnosed with Stage 3. “What keeps me at my desk after 15 years as executive director is her picture on my desk with the words, ‘If only we knew.’”

"One reason is that only 20,000 women are diagnosed annually compared to 300,000 with breast cancer, and three out of four won't survive five years if they receive a late-stage diagnosis," Barron says.

“If diagnosed at Stage 1, there is a 90% survival rate.”

In November, COCA held its annual Teal to Heel fashion show at Lenox Square with survivors and caregivers serving as models. One of them was survivor Tammy Garrison. After years of suffering, a doctor ordered a CT scan then an MRI that revealed Stage 4. “Women have to listen to their bodies,” she says. “If I had not had an aggressive doctor who sent me for a CT scan, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Solving a Housing Crisis

Tiny houses serve as models

Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall, who resides at the Lenbrook retirement community in Buckhead, has lived in 15 countries. Born in England, she grew up in India, earned a law degree and lectured at the University of Edinburgh, worked with the British consulate in Bombay (now called Mumbai) and spent many years on the management team at the YMCA. Today, she’s involved with the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires initiative that’s building tiny homes on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Dupree, South Dakota, for the Sioux Nation, a part of the Lakota Nation.

“After a group of 17 of us over 60 retired from the Y, we didn’t want to stop contributing and asked what we could do to help,” Hoskyns-Abrahall says. “Out of 47 projects vetted by the Y, we selected the tiny homes initiative on the reservation known for

Chief Sitting Bull and the Wounded Knee Massacre.”

The project began in 2021 to help solve the housing crisis on Native American reservations. It was funded by 600 donors who raised $1 million to build four identical tiny homes designed with input from tribe members. A fifth home is in the works. Because of the harsh weather conditions in summers and winters, volunteers come in waves for three weeks in the spring and fall. Hoskyns-Abrahall has traveled to Dupree four times but due to an injury, she wasn’t able to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony in September. To further contribute, she wrote a series of eight pamphlets about the Lakota Nation.

Music Makers

Creating a joyful sound

Professional bassoonist Dantes Rameau moved to Atlanta in 2010 after earning a post graduate certificate from the New England Conservatory of Music on leading youth music programs for under-resourced communities. “I had the training; I had a program design. But I lacked students,” he says.

Fortunately, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation needed music programs at its recreation centers and had plenty of students. In addition to music education, it provided services like transportation, instruments, snacks and homework assistance at the Coan Park Recreation Center and 20-30 elementary school kids participated. “Today, we serve about 1,000 a year from elementary through high school in orchestra, band and choir,” he says. The organization is housed at the Atlanta Music Project Center for Performance and Education in the Capital View neighborhood. With a staff of salaried, degreed musicians, the focus is on helping

students achieve proficiency, feel a sense of accomplishment and belonging, and set goals. If they stay with the AMP, they perform at their center, as well as venues throughout Atlanta, including numerous Buckhead churches. Every other year, select groups participate in international competitions in countries ranging from Canada to New Zealand. Elementary kids are chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once they enter middle and high school, students are required to audition. Scholarships and mentoring are offered to college-bound students.

Doug Barron has led the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance for 15 years.

Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall and fellow volunteer, Tom Blakely, help build tiny homes on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

Dantes Rameau created the Atlanta Music Project that now serves more than 1,000 kids.

West Elm Plush Fibrosoft Towels ($9.50-$54.50)

Enhance your morning and evening routines with West Elm’s fibrosoft towels. Made with 100% cotton, they’re durable, soft and quick to dry. The fibrosoft material is made with a special spinning technique that creates air pockets between yarn fibers, resulting in a lightweight, fluffy feel with optimum absorbency. West Elm offers a multitude of hues, and embroidered personalization is also available.

West Elm • westelm.com @westelm

Hanni Cocoon Cleanse Solid Body Serum Cleanser with Shea Butter ($19)

We’ve all been told to protect our skin from the sun, but it’s important to protect it from microplastics as well. This plastic-free body cleanser from Hanni is a concentrated, soap-free serum that hydrates and soothes the skin and is also cruelty-free, vegan and clean. The product is formulated without ingredients like parabens, sulfates, phthalates and mineral oils. The serum instead highlights gardenia, shea butter and fermented sugarcane enzyme, making this cleanser one that both dermatologists and environmentalists can love.

Sephora • sephora.com • @sephora

Microplastic Purge

Every year, roughly 10 to 40 million metric tons of microplastics are released into the environment. Eventually, these end up in our bodies as a result of items like cutting boards, food containers, make up and clothing that shed small fragments of plastic. Help curb this health and environmental hazard by considering these microplastic-free products instead. STORY: Katie Hughes

Epicurean Natural and Thyme Non-Slip Paper Composite Cutting Board ($34.95-$134.85)

Rid yourself of plastic cutting boards and keep microplastic contamination out of your food by opting for an eco-friendly alternative like the Epicurean cutting board from Crate and Barrel. This nonslip design with silicone corners is crafted from a mixture of wood fibers and resin, resulting in a lightweight board for your kitchen. It is also dual-sided, knife and dishwasher safe, and it’s designed to not warp, chip or crack. Crate and Barrel • crateandbarrel.com • @crateandbarrel

Caraway 7-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set with Lid Storage ($445)

For avid cooks, this seven-piece cookware set from Caraway is an eco-friendly must. It features a non-toxic, non-stick ceramic coating that doesn’t release harmful fumes or chemicals. The set includes a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, 3-quart saucepan and 4.5-quart sauté pan, as well as a 10.5-inch fry pan, plus pot and lid storage. Available in colors such as navy, sage and cream. Nordstrom • nordstrom.com • @nordstrom

Proofed! Microplastic-Free Laundry Detergent Sheets ($12.99-$34.99)

Not only are never-ending loads of laundry a nuisance, but they’re also a top source of microplastic pollution. Proofed! laundry detergent sheets offer a 100% plasticfree, biodegradable solution that aims to clean clothes faster while reducing the laundry industry’s carbon emissions by 80%, separating them from standard detergent sheets that rely on plastic-based binders. Proofed! liveproofed.com @proofedlaundry

FAIRY TALE WITH FRIENDS

A pastoral oasis awaits a short drive north STORY: Nicole Letts

The road curves, and suddenly Satolah Creek Farm appears nestled in the woods like something from the opening pages of a fairy tale. It's fall, and three girlfriends and I have driven north from Atlanta to this mountain haven that straddles the line between Clayton, Georgia, and Highlands, North Carolina. As we head up the driveway, packed to the brim with needlepoint canvases, mahjong tiles and enough groceries to feed us through the weekend, we're greeted by an enthusiastic welcoming committee: six dogs of every shape and size, tails wagging,

as if they've been expecting us. Owner Pippa Seichrist greets us and offers to show us around the 45-acre property via golf cart. We climb aboard and wind through the grounds as she points to outbuildings and additional accommodations. There's a folk art gallery, a charming history museum, a whimsical kids' playhouse and even an Airstream for extra cozy mountain evenings. She gestures toward her pottery barn, where we will meet her on Saturday for a class. This is exactly the kind of escape we've been craving. We can feel

Saturday unfolds leisurely and slow. We sprawl across the living room with our needlepoint projects, watching football, snacking and occasionally nodding off. In the afternoon, we reconvene at Seichrist's art studio for a dog face pottery class. A skilled potter, she gives lessons to eager students. Under her patient guidance, we learn to sculpt features that might actually resemble our pups back home. The results are charmingly imperfect, and she promises to ship them back to Atlanta once they fire in the kiln.

As evening approaches, we drive into Highlands for martinis at The Hummingbird Lounge inside Old Edwards Inn, then settle in for dinner at Ruffled Grouse at Highlander Mountain House. We remark that we might drive back “to town” on Sunday, but in the back of our minds, I think we all knew another day of relaxation was more likely in our future.

ourselves relaxing immediately. Our two-bedroom, two-bathroom carriage house sits directly above the barn where horses shuffle and snort below us. Through the windows, we watch the subtle waves of the duck pond, while the pasture beyond hosts a rotating cast of grazing animals. Inside, the space strikes a perfect balance between rustic charm and contemporary comfort. A deep leather couch anchors the living area, while furniture meticulously handcrafted by Seichrist's hobbyist wood-

Sure enough, a peaceful morning brings us back to the studio to finish our pottery projects before returning to the carriage house for several spirited rounds of mahjong. The tiles click satisfyingly against the table as we shuffle and draw. For dinner, we gather in the open kitchen to prepare white chicken chili. It’s the perfect comfort food for our final evening.

As we pack up Monday morning, the dogs once again appear to see us off, and I realize we've barely scratched the surface of what this place offers. But perhaps that's the point. Satolah Creek Farm isn't about checking boxes or rushing through activities; it's about slowing down enough to enjoy friendship, creativity and the utter enchantment of escape. n

Ample living space lets groups gather and dine together.

The carriage house cottage is private yet in the midst of all of the farm's happenings.

Step away from the city noise at Satolah Creek Farm and enjoy the unhurried rhythm of mountain time.

Watery Wonderland

Aman Venice is the floating city’s most coveted stay STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

I’m a bit of a hotel connoisseur, and from properties around the world, Aman Venice has been at the top of my wish list for more than a decade. Last fall, the stars aligned to make a stay a reality.

My husband and I arrived by water taxi, and it was surreal to ascend the same steps where, just months before, the world watched as celebrity guests for the Jeff Bezos / Lauren Sanchez wedding were photographed by paparazzi. The hotel sits right on the Grand Canal, one of only eight monumental palazzos to occupy such a prime location. The original palazzo was designed around 1580 by Gian Giacomo de Grigi; it was later bought and

enlarged in the 1860s by the Papadopoli family. Our spacious room featured a deep freestanding soaking tub, a plush king-size bed, a credenza stocked with local treats and wine, and uninterrupted views overlooking the city, thanks to its perch on the building’s top of five floors. The first order of business: a guided tour of the grounds. From the ceiling frescoes painted by former resident and famed 18th century painter Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo to the grand staircases, a library stocked with leather-bound books and gilded dining rooms, it’s a feast for the eyes and packed with a dizzying amount of history, stories of which the staff is happy to recount. That afternoon,

we boarded Aman’s glamorous 1930s-inspired Art Deco boat for a tour of the watery city, accompanied by a bottle of Prosecco. Perhaps the only downside to staying somewhere so special is that I found myself wanting to remain at the hotel rather than striking out into one of the world’s most unforgettable cities. Still, the location in the heart of the San Polo district proved to be ideal for our explorations. One afternoon, we took ourselves on a bacaro (small bites) tour, visiting the historic Cantina do Mori, founded in 1462, and the hole-in-the-wall All’Arco wine bar for seafood-forward snacks. We wandered through St. Mark’s Basilica and shopped for hand-blown glass on the island of Murano. One evening, we bought a bottle of Valpolicella from a local wine merchant and sat in the shadow of the Rialto Bridge to toast this unforgettable trip.

No matter where we were or what we were doing, it was a pleasure to head back for dinner at Aman's jaw-dropping restaurant, Arva. Standouts, each paired with wine from boutique producers, includ-

ed handmade porcini mushroom ravioli swimming in an umami-rich mushroom broth and creamy risotto topped with black truffles, harvested just days before.

It was hard to capitalize on all of the hotel’s charms, but I managed to have a sublime massage in one of the hotel’s three spa suites, enjoy a cappuccino in the expansive garden overlooking the Grand Canal and peruse the giftshop’s wares, including hand-blown glasses designed by the palazzo’s owner, Giberto Arrivabene.

Throughout the visit, I found myself often reminded of “La Serenissima,” the official nickname of the Republic of Venice (697–1797). The moniker, which means “The Most Serene,” denotes the maritime empire’s prosperity and tranquility. That sentiment became a metaphor for the experience of staying at the Aman. The chaos of a visit to St. Mark’s Square, with its perpetual crush of tourists, or dashing through winding alleyways during an unexpected rain shower, made coming back to the hotel's serenity that much sweeter. For me, a stay at the Aman Venice proved that, sometimes, reality is better than your wildest dreams. n

Above: Aman's ornate dining room is a wonderland of history and beauty. Below: Aman Venice's Alcova Tiepolo Suite features 18th-century frescoes.

Left: Venice's Grand Canal at sunset is the stuff of dreams.

Bold &

Beautiful

HOW SUSIE PRINCE HELPED A BROOKHAVEN RESIDENT REFLECT HER PERSONAL CONFIDENCE AT HOME

Homeowner Jacqueline Garner has often been asked if she’s an interior designer, thanks to her vibrant personality and love of fashion. However, the Georgia Tech professor of finance is the first to admit that she couldn’t translate her innate sunniness into her Brookhaven home. For that, she called in Susie Prince of Susie Mae Design.

The two originally met through a shared real estate agent, Patty Keller, in 2017. Garner had moved to Atlanta for her job the previous year and found her Lenox Park home with Keller’s guidance. “Our Realtor knew I was an interior designer and that Jacqueline really loved color and that the home she had sold her was very beige. She is not beige,” Prince says. ➥

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

PHOTOS: Patrick Heagney

The main living space is anchored by the feature wall, painted in Benjamin Moore's Venezulean Sea, with accents of poppy red.

Keller brought Prince to meet Garner before the sale closed to see if they were a good fit, which created a somewhat awkward moment in front of the seller. However, Garner says that Prince impressed her with how she handled him. “Susie said, ‘I think you can understand her wanting to put her own flair on it,’” Garner recalls. “That softened him and made me like her immediately. She’s one of the most gracious people, and she handles others well.” The duo began simply with a paint consultation, and the relationship, much like the home, has evolved over time.

“We’ve been slowly working on one room at a time. That’s how design should be: an evolved space,” Prince says. “I like to ask her to live with the space for a minute because we can always come back and add

more. We always add more.”

The home needed lightening up. It was built in the mid 90s and was dark and masculine so Prince set about creating a bright and open space, starting in the dining room. The first order of business was to change the color and add prints. Garner loves saturated colors and geometry, which became a launching point for the home. “She’s very analytical and is drawn to geometry by nature,” Prince says. “We found moments of painterly florals and animal prints with natural shapes, alongside items like handblown glass, to incorporate a human touch to balance the angles.”

The contrasting red and blue color palette was inspired by a few of Garner’s life touchpoints, namely a vase and flower combo and a necklace, as well as an existing rug that is now displayed in the dining room. Prince was tasked with juxtaposing

The first room to get an overhaul was the dining room. Greek key wallpaper is softened by Asian-inspired florals.

Garner and her dog Miles in a vintage peacock patio chair Prince sourced.

the bold with places for the eye to rest, as well as the masculine and feminine. For example, the Greek key dining room wallpaper and red lacquered china cabinets from Etsy are balanced by the painterly flora and fauna wallpapers in the powder room and butler’s pantry. Teal and blue terrazzo countertops in the kitchen find a counterpoint in white cabinetry, and the focal fireplace wall in the living room, done in Benjamin Moore’s Venezuelan Sea, finds visual relief via bright white Visual Comfort sconces. Asian influences, such as bamboo and rattan, help bring a softness.

Besides her love of color, Garner’s 11-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, Miles, was a big factor in everything from artwork to fabric selection. He is such a part of Garner’s life that she brings him everywhere. “They get upset at the Container Store if I don’t bring him with me,” the Alabama native says. Performance fabrics, such as the woodland print on the curved couch and teal fabric on the swivel chairs in the living room, were chosen, and everything, including rugs and drapes, was treated by fabric protection company Fiber-Seal of Atlanta as an insurance policy against Miles’ muddy paws. An oil portrait of the pup by Canadian artist John Dykes was put into a

“There's not a room in her house that's not exciting”— Designer Susie Prince

floating frame and hangs above the dog crate in the living room, and German Shorthaired Pointer wallpaper from Spoonflower hangs in the laundry room as an ode to him.

“We’ve even talked about adding a dog wash station to the garage with turquoise-colored paw tiles. We wanted to display her love proudly.”

While many of the furnishings are

“Her home is hyper-personalized, and she loves her dog,” says Prince, who didn’t want the representation of the dog to be an afterthought.

Blue terrazzo countertops add personality to the white Shaker kitchen.

Painterly florals in the butler's pantry create interest in the small space.

new, Prince was able to reimagine pieces that meant a lot to Garner. For example, her grandmother’s cedar chest in the bedroom was updated with a swipe of Benjamin Moore’s Venezuelan Sea with a lacquer finish, and a photo of her mother eating watermelon hangs in the kitchen.

Lighting choices were also important as a throughline of Garner’s personality and balance. “Jacqueline loves fun stuff, and so do I, so the light fixtures are playful and feminine, and don’t take themselves too seriously,” Prince says. So a clear acrylic spherical light fixture replaced a beige ceiling fan in the living room, instantly bringing in personality and functional lighting, and a blown glass turquoise balloon pendant hangs above the breakfast nook. “There’s not a room in her house that’s not exciting,” Prince says.

That includes the screened-in patio, where Garner spends a lot of time. She is the lead on Georgia Tech's VIP Sports Valuation & Analytics program, and she can often be found watching games out there. She particularly loves the peacock chairs Prince found her, and says she and Miles love to while away the afternoon together. “The chairs are so me,” Garner says.

“Susie didn’t even have to ask.”

Prince says that during the eightyear process of working on Garner’s home, they have only had one real struggle: They’re both “more is more” people, she says. “The only real challenge was dialing it back a bit and making sure we have places for the eye to rest.”

Garner says Prince has helped her finesse her style overall and reflect her personal confidence in her home. “I knew the house would be too clown-like and circus-y if I did it myself,” says Garner, who praises her designer for always knowing exactly what she likes. “I run everything by Susie, like when I’m standing at HomeGoods contemplating something. My house is so amazing now; I don’t want to mess it up.” n

Above: In the primary suite, Garner's grandmother's cedar chest gets new life from paint.

Right: The office is one of Garner's favorite spots and balances masculine and feminine.

Garner's preferred colors even made it into the primary suite bathroom.

IN THE DETAILS Prince shares some of her favorite style moments in

Garner spends a lot of time on her screened in patio, watching sports games for her job.

Garner's home.

BY Nicole Letts

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Patricia McLean is responsible for the restoration of Georgia's governor's mansion ballroom, among other antique-laden projects.

TIMELESS TREASURES

How

to find antiques and incorporate them into

your home

Designer Patricia McLean is a Buckhead-based interior designer who has been in the industry since 1985. For more than 40 years, she has built a career around the artful integration of fine antiques into her spaces, and she understands how these pieces add depth and personality that new furnishings cannot replicate. For homeowners intimidated by the prospect of mixing old and new or who are unsure where to begin their antique journey, McLean advises to start small, trust your instincts and remember that the hunt itself is half the joy.

Why do you think antiques still resonate with homeowners even in modern or newly build homes? Antiques add a dimension that

is not attained with new pieces. The patina is one of the most important aspects of fine antiques. That comes with time. They glow because the finish has been cared for over centuries.

What role do antiques play in developing a home's personality?

That goes back to the hunt. Most times, people can remember the exact moment they spotted something they just could not live without. Atlanta is rich with antique shops and small and large markets. Many dealers and designers shop the European markets. The pieces chosen and collected help develop the narrative of the home. Beautiful gilt-framed art and mirrors, mahogany chests with just the right shine

DESIGN & REALTY NEWS

n Construction Resources, a Southeast design distributor, has won the 2025 ISFA Award for Surface Fabrication Excellence from the International Surface Fabricators Association. The Construction Resources Design Center Westside in West Midtown earned the Commercial Excellence Over $100K award at the Nov. 3 ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona. The recognition honors

superior craftsmanship, creativity and technical excellence in completed surfacing projects. Opened in June 2025, the 50,000-squarefoot Westside flagship is the Southeast’s largest professional home products design center. constructionresourcesusa.com

n The Savannah College of Art and Design has been named the top design university in the

and sconces dating back for generations all help tell the story.

How do you balance antiques with contemporary pieces?

The antique anchor pieces can be sideboards, chests of drawers, library tables, end tables, dining tables and chairs. The upholstery can also be antique, but most people today want comfortable sofas and chairs mixed with antiques. I love to use antique barometers in my work. A gilded one could easily stand alone in a room full of contemporary furnishings.

What is an easy place to start?

I used to always begin my projects by asking my clients to invest in one nice mahogany chest to begin decorating. It can be used in a living

Americas and Europe by the Red Dot Design Ranking, which evaluates sustained design innovation and excellence for organizations and businesses. SCAD achieved its placement by demonstrating continued excellence in teaching and exceptional student performance, with 48 students and alumni earning 23 awards, including three "Best of the Best" distinctions. The award-winning

The Scent Tower by Urthy ($225) functions as a modern sculpture that quietly infuses spaces with fragrance made from plant-based ingredients. Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, the tower allows users to customize scent intensity and diffusion schedules from their phone using an app. The refillable system delivers long-lasting, clean fragrance, blending design and smart technology for a personalized scentscape. urthyscents.com • @urthyscents

room, dining room, den or bedroom. It is something useful and beautiful that works in any setting and can move to different rooms over time.

Where do you recommend Atlantans shop for antiques?

Miami Circle has one of my favorites, William Word Fine Antiques. The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center has many showrooms with beautiful antiques, including Travis and Company. For antique rugs, both Moattar and Keivan have gorgeous inventories and are two of my trusted sources. Scott Antique Markets is shopped by the whole nation, and you never know what you might find. n

MCLEAN INTERIORS mcleaninteriors.com • @patriciamcleaninteriorsin

projects spanned disciplines such as industrial design, fashion and user experience design. Students celebrated the achievement at the award ceremony in Singapore. scad.edu

n ADAC's signature spring event, Design ADAC, returns April 21-23. This year’s theme is Design for Living, which aims to highlight intentional living spaces that are

“shaped by craftsmanship, innovation and intention.” The threeday showcase invites designers, architects and tastemakers to explore showrooms for the latest in interior design. Attendees can connect with industry leaders through panels and conversations, as well as participate in immersive events. Registration is required; admission is free. adacatlanta.com/design-adac

Butch Anthony Framed Photo ($2,500)

Self-taught Alabama-based artist Butch Anthony brings together interesting and layered elements. Titled Lady with a Lasso, it’s a photo in a dark wood frame with paint on glass that is “interwangled,” a term Anthony uses to refer to his style of mixing old with new. Signed by the artist, the 26-by-22-inch piece is an evocative addition to any collection.

Brick + Mortar • 404.492.9207 thisisbrickandmortar.com @thisisbrickandmortar

Toland Wall Clock ($199)

Who says wood has to be relegated to furniture? Get funky with this responsibly made wooden clock. It’s handcrafted in Vermont via a small, family-owned shop and features carved indentations at each of the 12 hour markers. Steel side accents and a leather hanging strap complete the midcentury-inspired look. Room & Board • 877.389.9707 roomandboard.com • @roomandboard

The Dark Age

Once eschewed for light and bright tones, dark wood is making a comeback. Whether you see it in a midcentury-inspired lamp, a classic breakfront or an unusual and visually interesting piece of decor, it’s time to give mahogany, walnut and other dark wood grains their moment in the spotlight. Peruse these styles as home update inspiration. STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Jonathan Adler Buenos Aires Drinks Table ($900)

Bring curves into a room with this turned mahogany drinks table. The rich wood base has been polished to underscore the natural grain and topped with a 12-inch wide piece of white Volakas marble that’s just right for perching a favorite beverage. The table sits 22 inches high, the perfect height for pairing it with an oversized armchair.

Neiman Marcus Atlanta • 404.266.8200 neimanmarcus.com • @neimanmarcusatlanta

Conrad Reeded Hall Chest ($2,800)

Add a little mystery to your entryway, living room or dining room with this solid wood reeded chest. The teak chest, made by artisans in Indonesia, is handcarved and assembled using traditional techniques. Then the pieces are hand-painted to give an aged look with patina. Because of this meticulousness, no two pieces are exactly alike. Arhaus • 404.869.0003 • arhaus.com • @arhaus

Visual Comfort Crue Floor Lamp ($1,499)

Part of the Kelly Wearstler collection, this understated lamp brings together architectural lines with warm wood. It’s inspired by Brutalism, nodding to simplicity and utilitarianism. Organic, clean-lined and angular, the brass-detailed lamp can be a foil to a more traditional scheme or sit right at home in a modern one. The style comes in a 34-inch table lamp in addition to the 66-inch floor lamp.

Mathews Furniture + Design • 404.237.8271 mathewsfurniture.com • @mathewsatl

A Fresh Perspective

Gabriela

Eisenhart’s Silo Studio Design breathes new life into spaces

Designer Gabriela Eisenhart grew up in Atlanta and in her family’s restaurant business. Nino’s Italian Restaurant, which has been open since 1968, was an education for her. “I learned from a young age that hard work was important,” she says. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2006, specializing in film. She then worked in film production

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

for a few years before she founded her design studio in 2012 after the birth of her second son. Originally, the firm was eponymous; she changed the name later to reflect the joining of her two sons’ names, Silas and Oscar. “It started organically; people were asking me to do their homes,” she says. “I started very small, and now we do everything: renovations, new builds and

zational skills from my film days to design projects. I run my firm like I would run a production. It’s a little different on the creative side. On set, you’re thinking about visuals. It’s flat. Now, it’s more about how a client feels in a space and how that contributes to their well-being.

How do you approach design?

What I love most is a layered, organic and modern look, even though the term “organic modern” is a bit overused right now. I love to create texture and warmth through neutral layers and natural materials. I like very calm spaces. I’m a highly anxious person, and muted, layered spaces keep me calm. I also do more vibrant stuff and rooms with more personality, with more color and pattern, where I can tell my client's story.

What are some of the hallmarks of a Silo Studio Design room?

I always want to incorporate raw brass. Lighting is important. I love sculptural lighting. The third thing would be plants. Those elements really tie my projects together.

You helped renovate your family’s restaurant. How did that go? I worked with my sister, who now runs Nino's. It was a challenge because we were on a tight budget, but we had to make it happen. I think it turned out really well. We gutted an old hair salon that was attached to the original Nino's building [on Cheshire Bridge], combined the two spaces and did a ground-up restoration for the new bar. Nino's has an old-school, traditional feel, but the new bar was designed to feel like the Amalfi Coast of Italy, where my father is from.

projects all over Atlanta and the country.” Here, she shares more about her work.

How did you go from film to design? I did a lot of production work in film, and it wasn’t working out for me. I wasn’t happy. But I think the two fields are related. Design and production speak the same language. I had to bring all my organi-

What room excites you the most? Kitchens. I love them. I know it’s cliche to say they are the heart of the home, but it is where everyone is centered. I love to get in-depth with my clients on their design and see how they’re going to function in the space day to day. I feel like a good kitchen can really improve your overall life experience. I don’t think people really realize how many decisions you have to make for a kitchen. n

STYLISH

Fit Factor Page 42

“Our bodies are constantly changing … think of a bra fitting like a check-up at the doctor.” — Leslie Jones

Bra fitter Leslie Jones takes the agony out of bra shopping.

PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

FIT FACTOR

Tips from a Buckhead “Bra Whisperer”

STORY: Emily L. Foley PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

Perhaps no shopping trip is quite as anxiety-inducing as searching for a bra. The fitting room stress, the forcedup-close-and-personal look at our bodies, the inconsistent sizing: It can truly take an emotional toll that makes us put off these excursions as long as possible.

Enter Leslie Jones, a bra specialist and stylist at Nordstrom Phipps Plaza. Jones started her journey as a bra fitter in 2003 at Nordstrom in Perimeter Mall and worked her way up to management before stepping away from the position for a few years to be a mom. In 2016, she went back to work, this time at the Phipps Plaza store, and has been pleasing customers with her personal brand of nurturing guidance and straight shooting ever since. For years, Jones was a best-kept-secret among Nordstrom shoppers who discovered that her expertise and

hospitality in the fitting room can make bra shopping almost pleasant. But when one of her longtime clients shared her information and photo with a neighborhood Facebook group of nearly 8,000 members, Jones went from underthe-radar to on everyone’s radar.

Here, we tap Jones’ expertise to shed light on common bra-fitting misconceptions and misinformation.

First things first: Common signs your bra doesn’t fit include gapping cups, the band riding up in the back, side bulge, cup “spillage” and strap pain. If you experience any of these issues with bras, Jones says it’s time to find new ones. But those aren’t the only reasons you should go for a bra fitting: Jones says women should be fitted every six months. “Our bodies are constantly changing, as are our fashion needs,” she says. “Think of it like a check-up at the doctor.”

During that check-up, Jones finds

most women have misconceptions about bras. The most common are that all underwire bras are uncomfortable and that lace always shows under clothes. She says neither are true when you find the right bra. “There’s no one brand or one bra that works for everybody,” Jones says, “But there are tons of options, and we can always find something that works.”

Another intriguing bra fact that may come as a surprise is that bras need to “rest.” “You should never wear your bra more than twice in a row before you allow it to rest a day or two,” Jones says. “Wearing it without giving it a rest wears it out too quickly.”

One final bra fitting standard many people don’t know: Never buy a bra that fits when hooked on the tightest hook. “Bras naturally stretch out as you wear them, so if it’s already hooked on the tightest

BRA FITTING BY THE NUMBERS

0: How often you should put your bra in the dryer.

2: Times per year you should go for a bra fitting.

6: Bras every woman should have: two nude, one black, two sexy, one strapless.

22: Years Jones has been a bra fitter.

30-60: Minutes a typical bra fitting with Jones takes.

option, it will become unwearable as it stretches,” Jones says. “If it fits on the loosest hook when you buy it, as it gradually stretches out, you can tighten it more for a continued good fit.”

Jones’ standard weekly schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but she regularly accommodates customers with appointments outside her standard hours. n

To book an appointment, contact Jones at Jajales34@yahoo.com or 770.265.2511

NORDSTROM PHIPPS PLAZA nordstrom.com • @nordstrom

The Right Match

Nail makeup colors for your skin tone STORY: Karina Antenucci

Getting your makeup colors right begins with the one shade that sets the stage for everything else: your foundation.

Makeup artist Nyssa Green, owner of The Green Room Agency, breaks down how to build a foolproof color palette so your makeup always reads polished, modern and you.

Start with the Perfect Match

“The reality is if foundation doesn’t match, you’re always going to feel like something is off,” Green says. “When you get it right, it makes everything else easier.” Her No. 1 rule: Don’t buy before stepping into sunlight. “Fluorescent light is no one’s friend,” she says. “A little off in fluorescent is a lot off in sunlight.” Even when matched at a beauty retailer, walk outside before committing.

Unlike in years past, today’s shade ranges make exact matches possible. (Thank you, Rihanna, whose Fenty Beauty brand paved the way for diverse skin tones.) Online tools help, too. Just answer the questions

honestly and know your undertone, which a makeup artist (note: not a sales clerk) can help pinpoint.

“Most people have a yellow undertone,” Green says.

Wondering what type of foundation to choose? Cream foundations get Green’s vote for every age since they’re blendable, buildable and versatile. “You can sheer them down with moisturizer or buff them in for smooth, glassy skin,” she says.

Shape Your Eyeshadow Palette

Once your base is dialed in, mainstay neutrals are your go-to makeup friend. “Taupes, browns, beiges and white: Those eyeshadow colors work on anybody because they’re what we all naturally have,” Green says. Intensity, not color family, is what should shift by skin tone. For instance, a taupe eye crease for fair skin might translate to a rich brown for deeper tones. White is the secret multi-tasker: lid color, brow highlight, under-eye setter or even a lip-brightening pop.

“Just dust a little in the center of the lip for dimension,” Green says. Next, add eye color, if you want. Makeup should be fun, not fussy. So express yourself. Green’s advice is to try a bold eyeshadow color as an eyeliner first. A thin line on the top or bottom lash gives personality without overwhelming.

A good rule of thumb is to select only one eyeshadow that shimmers, says Green. Matte shadows blend the easiest and look good on mature eyes, whereas shimmer can settle into wrinkles. And eyeshadow brushes matter. “They’ll help blend and direct shadow where you want it to go.”

Find Your Red Lipstick “There’s a red for everyone in the whole wide world,” Green says. “It’s a woman’s superpower, and so many don’t use it.” It’s important to find the right match for your skin tone so reds don’t appear clownish. Green says that for the majority of people the right red will have a blue, not an orange, undertone. However, some

of The Green Room Agency says there's a red lipstick out there for everyone.

can wear both well. “Play around to see what you like, but don’t pick it from the tube. Test it on your face. Or call me, and I’ll help you find one!”

Master Your Blush

Blush is about layering and looking naturally flushed. “Build, build, build, and less is more,” Green says. Orange—yes, orange—is her universal color pick. “It works on the darkest to the lightest skin, and you can’t say that for red or pink,” she says. Use a cream or liquid blush and blend it across the entirety of the cheeks so there are no harsh lines. n @nyssag

Talk to a Financial Consultant that will work with you on your terms.

Schedule an appointment today, or visit your local Atlanta branch.

EAT WELL, LIVE VIBRANTLY

How to jumpstart the Mediterranean diet STORY:

Karina Antenucci

The Mediterranean diet is more about healthy living in the long-term than weight loss, though that may happen, too, if you follow it. Rather than a strict method, this way of eating is rooted in the dietary habits of those living in the coastal regions of Southern Europe. This area encompasses a few of the world’s “blue zones,” such as Sardinia, Italy and Ikaria, Greece, where people often reach 90 or 100 years old and live with less chronic disease than the U.S. population. Research shows benefits for heart health, brain function, weight management, lowering inflammation

and potentially reducing risks of type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

“I personally believe that the Mediterranean diet can be easier for some to follow as it is not as restrictive and still incorporates all food groups,” says Morgan Cherry, dietitian at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness in Buckhead. “However, it is always important to discuss with your primary care physician before starting any sort of diet or lifestyle change.”

Curious how to follow this popular diet plan? Read on for more tips.

Fresh and Moderate

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes

supplies antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress—two key contributors to chronic disease.

Fish Over Meat

Protein makes up about 15-20% of the Mediterranean diet’s daily calories, mainly from fish or seafood and legumes, and moderate amounts from poultry, dairy and eggs with hardly any red and processed meats. Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that are linked to improved heart health, brain function and reduced inflammation. Two to three servings of fish or seafood and two to four eggs per week is sufficient to reap these benefits.

Olive Oil is Paramount

Healthy fats are a central macronutrient, making up 30-40% of daily calories, mostly from monounsaturated fats found in extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados. Olive oil is rich in polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and heartprotective effects, and swapping butter for olive oil can improve blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Just a couple of tablespoons drizzled over vegetables or salads daily can provide these benefits.

Dainty Dairy

fresh, flavorful and satiating foods, as well as moderate serving sizes. It starts with a plate made up of half vegetables and fruits, one-quarter whole grains or starchy vegetables and one-quarter protein.

Plant Forward

The foundation of this eating pattern is plants: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Roughly 40-50% of daily calories come from complex carbs such as whole grains (rice, pasta, bread), beans and starchy vegetables that provide steady energy and fiber to support digestion. Colorful produce

Instead of cheese on everything like you often see in American dishes, dairy plays a supporting role here. Think Greek yogurt, tzatziki and fresh cheeses such as feta or ricotta. These foods provide protein, calcium and probiotics that support bone and gut health. The Mediterranean diet only includes one to two servings of dairy per day, which looks like 1 cup of yogurt and 1.5 oz. of cheese (about the size of two dice).

Wine, Wisely

Minimal red wine consumption, meaning one glass per day for women and up to two for men with meals can fit into the Mediterranean pattern. Resveratrol, a phytonutrient in red wine that comes from red grapes, is thought to support heart health. Moderation is key, though, since more alcohol intake negates its benefits. n

in 2019, and Tinte, her color and blow-dry bar at The Works in 2021. Here, the CEO shares her story.

Why did you decide Atlanta needed another salon?

I couldn’t find where I belonged. Buckhead wasn’t totally my scene, and neither was Inman Park. There wasn’t anything elevated but cool. Everything was either old-school and very fancy or grungy. I missed that high-end, cool, French girl look. I met these amazing stylists who had come from LA, Elise Kelley and Abby Andre. We started collaborating; they’d do the color, and I’d do the cut. We were sent people in the movie industry at the time, and we made those clients our niche. That’s how Sirène was created, and it just exploded.

What makes Sirène unique?

Everyone’s been doing their work for 15-plus years. We also like to collaborate a lot in our salon. We love smaller niche brands but also carry Kérastase. We carry Virtue, which is great for clients who don’t want sulfates or parabens. We also carry Shu Uemera, which no one else has in Atlanta, and Christophe Robin. Between Sirène and Tinte, we have a staff of about 20. We do it all: color, cut, brows, highlights, waxing, extensions, any type of hair. It was important that we could do all types of hair. Everyone who works here is an expert in their specific technique and highly trained.

A Cut Above

Dyana Nematalla’s Sirène salon has carved a niche STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Dyana Nematalla never planned to come back to metro Atlanta. The Stockbridge native attended the Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta and graduated in 2008. She moved to New York City shortly after for a job in fashion. “That lasted four months because of the

crash,” she says. She had previously worked at a hair salon in high school and decided to go back to it because it’s what she knew, and there was still a demand for it. She landed a job in 2008 at Yves Durif Salon at the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, which changed her trajectory. “They hired me on the spot,” she says.

For six years, she helped the salon cater to creatives and celebrities. Then in 2014, she moved on to another New York celeb favorite, Marie Robinson Salon, where she spent four years. After her then-boyfriend (now husband), Abed, moved to Atlanta, she lingered in New York but began asking herself the age-old question, “What am I doing here?”

Once he proposed in 2017, she came back to Atlanta where she set up her salon, Sirène, on the Westside

The salon was recently renovated. How has that amplified your vision? I love being at King Plow Arts Center because it’s hidden and out of the way. It’s very “if you know, you know.” I love that when you enter, it takes you somewhere else, so even for an hour, you feel like you’re not in Atlanta. Because I’m Middle Eastern, I wanted a bit of a Mediterranean feel. A trip to Italy last summer influenced me as well. I care about the aesthetics of everything, maybe because of my SCAD degree. We needed it to be updated and leveled it up. Kevin Plenge at Fathom Architecture did it. n

SIRÈNE SALON

678.974.8389 • sireneatl.com • @sireneatl

TINTE COLOR AND BLOW DRY BAR 404.969.6739 • tinteatl.com • @tintebysirene

Set in the heart of Buckhead and adjacent to the iconic St. Regis, Elyse Buckhead embodies a harmonious blend of location, lifestyle, and luxury. Each expansive residence opens to generous private terraces with sweeping views of Buckhead’s lush canopy and the skyline beyond. With over 63,000 sf of lifestyle amenities, every element has been masterfully curated to balance form and function. At Elyse Buckhead, sophistication isn’t simply seen—it’s lived.

1- to 3-Bedroom Luxury Condominium Residences from $1M. Schedule

THE QUIET ARCHITECTURE OF INFLUENCE:

GARY SNYDER’S LASTING IMPACT ON ATLANTA

Some careers end with a dramatic exit. Others unfold quietly and intentionally, defined not by how they conclude, but by what they leave behind. For Gary Snyder, a life in the law has never been about spotlight or spectacle. It has been about impact—on people, on institutions, and on the city of Atlanta, which he helped shape over more than five decades.

Snyder’s influence is not found in a single headline or defining moment. It lives in the relationships he built, the professionals he mentored, and the culture of service he reinforced across Atlanta’s legal and business communities. He entered the legal profession in the early 1970s guided by a principle instilled by an early mentor: “The practice of law is about the client. Everything else is just dressing.” That belief became the foundation of his career. As a business and corporate attorney, Snyder focused on results—structuring deals, resolving problems, protecting companies, and helping clients make decisions designed to endure.

After relocating to Atlanta from Columbus, Ohio, Snyder rebuilt from the ground up, representing entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, and the individuals who owned

and operated them. His disciplined, client-first approach took root at Minkin & Snyder and later positioned him as one of the founding attorneys of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office in 2000.

“Gary did not just help start the Atlanta office—he helped define what it would stand for,” says Ernest Greer, CoPresident of Greenberg Traurig. “His influence is woven into the culture here.”

Snyder’s most enduring legacy lies in the people he invested in. His mentorship was practical and generous.

“Gary set the standard early,” says Ted Blum, Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office. “Generations of leaders grew up around it.”

In December 2025, Snyder formally retired from the practice of law, concluding a distinguished career that continues to shape the institutions and people he leaves behind. Today, his influence endures quietly—in the strength of the Atlanta office he helped build, the business owners he guided, and the leaders he helped shape. In a city defined by momentum, his legacy is a reminder that the most meaningful influence is built patiently, through service, and with unwavering focus on what truly matters.

From left to right Ted Blum, Gary Snyder, Ernest Greer, Richard Valladares

— Claudiu Vidulescu It's the Climb Page 60

doesn’t have to be intimidating.

“If you can go up a ladder, then you can climb. It’s really that simple.”

Indoor rock climbing

CAMP IDEAS

Arts and Creativity

For the creative kid, Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody and La Dee Da in Sandy Springs bring an amazing breadth of visual arts fun.

STEM

Future coders, engineers and scientists will love Snapology of Atlanta East in Chamblee that uses LEGO bricks and other tools for building.

Sports & Movement

Aussie Kids Golf Academy in Buckhead engages kids in golf while Balance Dance + Gymnastics in Chamblee brings all the tumbling and obstacle course play.

All-Around Camps

CAMP, SIMPLIFIED

A new

platform eases parents’ planning STORY: Karina Antenucci

Managing summer camps shouldn’t feel like a second job. Yet for many parents, the spreadsheets, deadlines and group chats start piling up long before school lets out, as early as after the holidays. That’s the chaos local mom and entrepreneur Kathryn Hatcher, founder and CEO of Camply, set out to fix with a platform built to ease planning for every school break.

Entrepreneurship runs in Hatcher’s family, and from a young age she envisioned herself running her own business one day. When she was laid off from a health tech startup in late 2024 after several years in government and management consulting, she began to think about what she wanted next. With two young sons and a new campplanning season starting in January 2025, clarity arrived quickly.

As Hatcher was deep in the throes of painstakingly organizing

her oldest son’s third summer of camps and attempting to coordinate her youngest one’s, too, she kept thinking, “Why does a better way not exist yet for parents? Why are we doing the same thing year after year?” she says.

Fairly quickly, Hatcher created a camp concierge service where she recommended options to parents based on budget, kids’ interests and the family’s scheduling needs. The demand proved enormous, and she soon realized it was a bigger job than one person could handle. “So many families were doing the same big push in January, and camps have similar signup times. One-on-one wasn’t viable,” she says. That’s when the idea evolved into a scalable platform.

Hatcher launched Camply at the end of last summer, starting with a handful of intown camps and quickly expanding across metro Atlanta and its suburbs, from Buckhead

and Brookhaven to College Park and Woodstock. Today, the website lists camp options for every school break, has more than 400 summer providers and attracts about 1,000 new families each month.

Hatcher chose a website rather than an app based on parents’ feedback. “A lot of families told

Looking for something that has it all? Anyone Can at Peachtree Christian blends STEM, art, movement and more, and Ready, Set, Fun! in Sandy Springs amps up indoor play with a variety of activities. (Bonus: They take 3-year olds!)

Nature

Dunwoody Nature Center inspires a love of the outdoors with its educational camps.

me they don’t want another app, especially for something that isn’t year-round,” Hatcher says.

Caregivers can search by activity type and ZIP code for free, and camps pay to be featured. There is a subscription option ($8.49 monthly or $89 annually) with online tools, such as favorites lists, custom camp calendars, registration alerts and shareable planning features to make coordinating with friends a breeze.

“As a parent of two, I'm always looking for camps close to home that my kids will genuinely enjoy. Camply made the search so much simpler. Instead of digging through dozens of websites, I found great options in minutes," says Brookhaven resident Nancy Greenspan.

Hatcher also has a philanthropic program in the works. “Camps can be expensive. We want all kids to have opportunities,” Hatcher says. n

CAMPLY • joincamply.com • @joincamply

Kathryn Hatcher founded Camply to make finding and coordinating camps simpler.

Silent Cues

Pets communicate in myriad ways. A tucked tail on dogs can demonstrate fear, and some may freeze in place when they are on alert. Cats meow at their humans and use interactions such as purring and hissing with each other. Here, an expert helps us dissect specific cat and dog actions to learn the difference between distress and contentment.

DOG MANNERISMS

Tail Wagging

WHAT IT MEANS: According to veterinarian Dr. Randi Schroedel of Collier Animal Hospital, if a dog has its tail raised and wagging to the right, it conveys positive emotions and friendliness. If it’s raised and wagging more to the left, this is a sign of aggression or negative emotions.

Pacing

WHAT IT MEANS: “It’s common for people to think of excitement and stress as two separate things, but excitement is a type of stress, and both can lead to overstimulation and pacing,” Schroedel says.

Raised Hackles

WHAT IT MEANS: This involuntary movement is when a dog’s hair stands up on its back and neck and is similar to people getting goosebumps. “If hackles are up while staring intensely at another dog, it can be a sign of aggression,” Schroedel says. “But if their hackles are up when they are intensely sniffing a fire hydrant, it can be a sign of curiosity or surprise.”

Play Bow

WHAT IT MEANS: Schroedel says this action—when a dog lowers its front end to the ground with his backside raised—is typically associated with trying to engage another dog or a person in play. “They are challenging you to act silly!”

CAT MOVEMENTS Purring

WHAT IT MEANS: This is usually a sign of contentment, but cats will also purr as a self-soothing mechanism when stressed or injured. “Get a feel for what is normal for your cat and contact your veterinarian if

Reading your pet’s body language STORY: Chelsie Butler

you notice any behaviors that are unusual for them,” says Dr. Taylor Sheridan, another veterinarian at Collier Animal Hospital.

Showing the Belly

WHAT IT MEANS: According to Sheridan, cats display this behavior to show trust, but it can also be a defensive posture. “It's important to evaluate other body language such as the position of their ears, hissing, etc.,” she says.

Teeth Chattering

WHAT IT MEANS: Cats often do this when they see prey, but it can also be related to underlying medical conditions such as dental disease. “If your cat is [is chattering while] looking out the window, they are probably feeling some kind of way about the birds outside,” Sheridan says. “But if they are chattering and not eating as usual, reach out to your vet.”

High Tail

WHAT IT MEANS: Cats love to communicate with their tails. According to

Sheridan, a low tail can communicate fear, uncertainty or aggression. A puffed up or swishing tail can mean fear, annoyance or aggression. A tucked tail can signal fear, submission or stress.

Crouching

WHAT IT MEANS: Cats often do this when they are approaching prey, but crouching can also signify fear, anxiety or discomfort. “Crouching during play may not be a concern, but sudden crouching throughout the house would be more urgent,” Sheridan says.

According to Schroedel, discerning the stimulus for each pet behavior usually depends on the context around the event itself. Purring may not always mean pleasure, and raised hackles may not always be a sign of interest. It’s important to recognize which mannerisms are normal for your pets and when it’s time to call your vet. n

IT’S THE CLIMB

Reach new heights with

these expert

indoor rock climbing tips STORY: Amy Meadows

According to Claudiu Vidulescu, humans are naturally predisposed to climb. “If you ever watch little kids, they always want to go to the monkey bars,” says Vidulescu, a rock climber since 1990 and owner and head coach of Team CRG, one of Central Rock Gym’s premier competitive climbing teams. “They always want to climb things. It’s a very natural desire and a natural talent to have.”

For those who want to reach new heights long past childhood, indoor rock climbing provides the perfect opportunity to do just that year round. Of course, scrambling up a colorful vertical wall can be intimidating. It’s also equally exhilarating and a great workout. Here, Vidulescu offers his advice for giving this indoor adventure a try.

Can someone who is not extremely fit give rock climbing a try?

A lot of people in a climbing gym will be very fit. But there are people who are not or may even be a bit heavier, and who come to the gym and realize

that if you can go up a ladder, then you can start climbing. There is an entry level accessible for everyone.

What should beginners know about indoor rock climbing?

The facilities that we have here in Atlanta offer a wide variety of opportunities for everyone from a beginner who has never even seen a rock climbing gym to people who have climbed for 20 or 30 years. And Central Rock Gym’s facilities have a variety of wall heights. When you walk in, you might be gobsmacked by the sheer size and angles of the walls. But there are also friendlier angles and heights, some that actually start with ladders. As I said, if you can go up a ladder, then you can climb. It’s really that simple.

How do I get started if I’ve never tried this sport before? If you want to try climbing, you don’t need to have anything other than some sporty clothing that is going to allow freedom of movement. You come in, pay a day fee,

sign a waiver and do the orienta tion. Once you’ve gone through the process, you get a harness, shoes and an auto belay, which is a self-retractable lanyard. Then you are ready to start climbing. And if you want to go further, you can purchase your own equipment, which is available at different levels and price points. You can get the whole setup for as little as $250 or $300.

What sets indoor rock climbing apart from other workouts?

Indoor rock climbing pretty much uses all the muscles in your body. Every single move you do is different. You’re engaging your biceps, triceps, legs, core, lats and even muscles beyond those. Climbing uses your entire body to be more effective and efficient. Even if you start coming in once or twice a week (two to three times per week is ideal), you’ll get into good shape.

What are the benefits of indoor rock climbing versus outdoor rock climbing? First, and probably most important to people, is comfort. We have air conditioning and heating. There are no snakes or bugs, and it’s a very safe

environment. You also have people onsite who can give you pointers, and you can take classes to help you learn. Climbing indoors is much more approachable and accessible.

Why has indoor rock climbing become popular?

Indoor rock climbing offers a platform to create friendships. It’s a real community. And it is great for people of all ages. We have a youth program that starts at 4 years old, and we have climbers who are in their late 70s and early 80s. This is a lifelong sport that you can do anywhere. There are very few sports that can claim that. It has endless opportunities. n

Claudiu Vidulescu encourages people at every level to try indoor rock climbing.

April 3–5, 2026

Cobb Energy Centre

Suitable

May 8–10, 2026

The Offi cial School of Atlanta Ballet Gennadi Nedvigin Artistic Director Sharon Story Dean

Photos by Kim Kenney

Left: Gianna Horton-Sibble & Miguel Angel Montoya. Right: Mikaela Santos. Photos by Rachel Neville. Artwork by Monica Lind.

NO LEAKS

Dripping faucets and leaky toilet flappers waste thousands of gallons of water a year!

Keep money in your pocket with simple maintenance and low-cost repairs. Start today by completing our free, do-it-yourself Household Water Assessment. Get started by scanning the QR code to the right.

Run down water waste at our Water Drop Dash 5K, Saturday, March 21 at the Chattahoochee Nature Center! Celebrate Fix a Leak Week after the race with

and

CULTURE

Hooves for Hope Page 69

“Bourbon and Burgers is … a celebration of community, generosity and the extraordinary bond between humans and horses.” —Cynthia Ruff

Attendees gather under the stars at Chastain Horse Park.

A CREATIVE CHAMELEON

Shay Bennett’s career has taken many forms STORY: Denise K. James PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Shay Bennett’s first acting opportunity was in second grade, and she took her lines seriously. The Buckhead-based actor, producer and entrepreneur grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and begrudgingly accepted a boy's part in the class play thanks to her mother’s encouragement. After a neighbor loaned her some clothes, Bennett looked in the mirror and got right into character. “I rehearsed my lines to death,” she says. Though her performance was praised, she didn’t initially set her sights on acting. Instead, she pondered going to college for accounting until her mother, always wise, reminded her that she loved travel-

ing and might appreciate a flexible career. So Bennett enrolled in cosmetology school, a serendipitous move that led her to live in cities such as San Francisco, London and Paris, where she decided it was time to revisit her creative side and take a few acting workshops. She then moved to New York and enrolled with HB Studio in Greenwich Village.

“I decided to move to Los Angeles after that and did a couple of stage plays, but I couldn’t sing,” she says. “That’s when I decided on TV.”

Her first TV audition was for Aaron Spelling, creator of “Beverly Hills 90210.” To her delight, she got a callback and was cast as a nurse in the 12th episode of the eighth season,

“Friends in Deed.” “I accidentally sat in Spelling’s chair, and he didn’t even mind,” she shares. “He was very kind.”

From there, her acting career took off. She met Holly MacConkey on the set of the movie Witchcraft, and the producer invited her to learn a different side of the camera. At first, Bennett hesitated. She had a busy week already, two shows and a commercial, but she agreed to meet in MacConkey’s office. The pair worked together for six months until MacConkey’s death in 1996. “She taught me everything she knew,” Bennett says. “She made me a producer.”

With her new perspective on the industry, Bennett began writing films and TV shows. Eventually, she left Los Angeles for Atlanta and has called the city home since 2012. One of her first ventures to get to

Since moving to Buckhead, Bennett has stayed busy with acting and making connections. On sets around the city, she met the colleagues who would become part of her crew for “Seriously Courtney,” a TV script she wrote during the pandemic. The show is about a high school senior and her friends living in Buckhead and features goalball, a sport for visually impaired athletes. She expects shooting to begin this spring.

Atlanta’s role in the film and TV industry, according to Bennett, could be less about business coming from places like Los Angeles and more about it originating here. She’s doing her part to make that happen, writing shows like “Seriously Courtney” and collaborating with local talent.

“Most of the acting work I’ve done in Atlanta wasn’t made by Atlantans,” she says. “We need more homegrown content.” n @shaybennett_studios

Hair: Suzanna Boykin;

Makeup: Deborah Carr

Kristen Marotte was 18 when her father, Eli, died, and not long after, she started having a recurring dream about searching for him. Every so often, the dream had a happy encounter. “I’d run to him and say, ‘Where in the world have you been?’” says the Sandy Springs resident.

In the waking world, life went on. Marotte carved a career in software sales and indulged her passion for travel. She took consumer guru Clark Howard’s tips to heart and booked affordable trips to wherever the plane was going. “I didn’t have a lot of money, but I could jump on a $300 trip to Amsterdam,” she said. “I did have a deep desire to see the world, so I made it happen.”

In the early 1990s, Marotte started writing down her travel adventures as children’s stories told by a globe-trotting bear she named Eli. “It was bizarre; I didn’t have children and was shocked at how easily the stories rolled out,” she says. “I wrote one, then another and another, and soon I had 10. The words were cute and catchy about a little bear who dropped hints about where he was—how people dressed or spoke, or what they ate—and readers had to figure it out.”

Marotte married in 1999, and a year later, tried to get the stories published. When that didn’t happen, she set them aside until her own children came along, and she dusted them off to share with her daughter and son who arrived in 2002 and 2004, respectively.

“They became our family treasure,” she says. “My kids would often get them out and read them. I took them to their school and read to classes. When my daughter started babysitting, she read them to the kids.”

Meanwhile, Marotte left the corporate world, tried her hand at photography and, most recently, became a Pilates instructor. And 25 years after the first Eli story, she decided it was time to share them with the world.

“A friend told me how he’d published a book and how much things

Where in the World

A recurring dream and a love of travel inspired a book series STORY: H.M. Cauley

have changed now,” she says. “You can find illustrators and self-publish easily. I just had to do it.”

She did some of the initial drawings before hiring an illustrator who perfected the image of Eli whose belly sports the flag of the country

he’s visiting. She started an Instagram page and a Facebook page, and got the first book, Where in the World is Eli? Bonjour!, on Amazon. “It's a bit cryptic; Eli talks about the Mona Lisa but doesn’t specifically say it’s that painting, so the images are important

clues,” Marotte says. “The last line of every story has Eli walking into the sunset and says to follow that bear to see what the next country will be.”

The books are also a bit of a nod to her father and her dream, as well as Marotte’s love of travel.

“I got my creative side from my dad, who could draw,” she says. “The books have also had a healing part, too, even though there’s still a very deep-felt yearning there. In my dreams, I will occasionally see him, and a few times I got to embrace him. But my life has gone on.”

And the writing may go on as well, Marotte says. “I was so tickled by it when I was writing them, and I still get excited by it. If the books are successful, I’ll keep writing.” n @eli_the_flagbelly_bear

Cale H. Jackson D.M.D. Matthew J. Giordano D.M.D.

From Strangers to Community

Alyssa Fagien invites people to come together through social events STORY: H.M. Cauley

Common is all about meeting people in real life and making friendships. And generally speaking, we all have something in common.

How does In Common work?

We’re not a social club with a physical space where people go to connect, but we have an online community and host about two or three member events every month. We’ve gone to workout classes and new restaurants; we’ve chartered buses and gone to the North Georgia vineyards. We did a Friendsgiving at a private event space in Chamblee. We’ve had potlucks, game nights, casual pool parties and a launch party at Westside Motor Lounge. Instead of just creating Instagram posts, I’m now bringing people together.

What’s the membership demographic?

It’s geared toward ages 25 to 40, but we’re not exclusive. We ask that people be above age 21 because many events include alcohol. It’s a good mix of singles, people who are partnered but their partners don’t want to take part, and some husbands and wives. I’ve also noticed we have people going through life changes: Maybe they just moved to Atlanta, got out of a long-term relationship or moved from the suburbs into the city. Some say, “All my friends are married now with kids, and I want to expand my network.”

How does the membership structure work?

Shortly after graduating from the University of Florida in her home state, Alyssa Fagien moved to Atlanta in 2014. She found a job in marketing and loved being in a city with so much to offer, including warm weather and relative proximity to her family. As she learned more about her new home, she soon decided to share her enthusiasm with others. A decade ago, she created the connections site ATL Bucket List and has now expanded her circle with In Common, a social club. Here, she tells us about how both succeed at creating new friendships.

What’s the concept behind the ATL Bucket List?

It’s my love letter to Atlanta. I moved here not knowing much about the city, and I’ve gotten to see spaces like the Beltline and Ponce City Market transform it. I started as a way to showcase my own bucket list and all things I wanted to do before moving back to Florida, even though now I have no plans of leaving. People sign up, and we go to restaurants and have cool activities and fun events. And after doing it for 10 years, it’s now my full-time job.

How did that lead to your creating In Common?

I like to think that all great ideas come from trying to fix existing problems, and that’s where In Common came from. So many times over the years I’d get people in my DMs on Bucket List asking, “How do I make friends and meet people?” I tried to give ideas, but it’s not that easy; making friends can be awkward, especially in the post-COVID era. And since people aren’t going into offices anymore, it’s way more difficult to make connections in real life. In

We have two membership options: quarterly for $40 or yearly for $144. That gives access to all our events and the online community as well. Happy hours are $10 once a month and include one drink; other events might range from $20 to $50. I do all the organizing: The goal is to have people just purchase a ticket and show up. And we also try to host community events every quarter that are open to everyone.

What’s the most gratifying part of the job?

Seeing people truly create friendships from this group is great. n

EVENTS BY Nicole Letts

HOOVES FOR HOPE

SUPPORTING LOCAL THERAPEUTIC HORSE PROGRAM

Bourbon & Burgers will celebrate its fifth anniversary on April 26, raising critical funds for the equine therapy program at Chastain Horse Park. The fundraiser supports equine-assisted services for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy or speech delays, as well as survivors of human trafficking through Wellspring Living and other organizations. In 2025, the event raised more than $350,000.

Chastain Horse Park was founded in 1998, but the property on which it sits has been an equestrian facility since the 1930s. Today, the park serves three distinct groups within the same facility with programs for public lessons, boarding and therapy.

Funds raised through Bourbon & Burgers provide therapy services at discounted rates and support a robust scholarship program.

“Chastain Horse Park is one of only two remaining urban horse barns in the United States and hosts more than 5,400 therapeutic sessions

each year, making this work both rare and deeply impactful,” says event co-chair Cynthia Ruff. “Caring for horses is costly, and caring for horses in the city is even more so.” Expenses range from daily grain and hay to veterinary care.

“Bourbon and Burgers is more than a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of community, generosity and the extraordinary bond between humans and horses,” Ruff says. “Every ticket purchased and every bid placed directly supports therapeutic services that change lives across Atlanta.”

Tickets include bourbon tastings and cocktails, food from Shake Shack, live music and silent and live auctions. Guests can meet horses for photos, and the event chairs are hoping to introduce new experiences this year, including interactive artist demonstrations and an attendee-only retail market. General admission is $200. n

chastainhorsepark.org • @chastainhorsepark

Bourbon & Burgers on April 26 benefits the Chastain Horse Park equine therapy program.

EVENTS BY Nicole Letts

Tracing History in Design

A look at Atlanta’s decorative arts legacy

The Decorative Arts Trust, a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of the decorative arts through educational programs, grants and publications nationwide, will present its spring symposium April 22-23. The detailed look at Atlanta’s architecture and design, Atlanta: From Railroads to Renaissance, will include lectures, tours and receptions. The symposium will explore the city’s

transformation from railroad terminus to cultural capital, including tours of the Swan Coach House and private estates. Highlights include a lecture on early Georgia decorative arts at Cherokee Town and Country Club, an architectural presentation on Philip T. Shutze’s distinguished residences, immersive visits to Atlanta History Center with behind-the-scenes access to storage facilities and

Coffee

concluding presentations from scholars showcasing the state’s contributions to American decorative arts. Registration is $1,250, which includes all lectures, tours, meals, receptions and transportation. Attendees must be members of the Decorative Arts Trust to participate. n

decorativeartstrust.org/atlanta-2026 @decorativeartstrust

Cancer research breakfast

The A Cure in Our Lifetime spring breakfast takes place March 25 from 9-11 a.m. at Cobb Energy Center. Co-founded by breast cancer survivors Jennifer Fink and Jody Goldstein in 2016, the event exclusively funds breast cancer research. Now in its 11th year, it has raised over $2 million for the Atlanta chapter, funding approximately 25 research projects and clinical trials. Last year’s breakfast raised $350,000, with donations split between Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Continuing the

a Cure

tradition of featuring a survivor as the keynote speaker, attendees will hear from Broadway actress Sarrah Strimel Bentley. Past speakers have included journalists Joan Lunden and Amy Robach as well as prominent authors in the breast cancer field. “We try to keep the event also uplifting because the truth is we are making strides. There’s still work to be done, but we are making strides,” Fink says. Tickets are $200, including a champagne toast and buffet breakfast. n

atlantacure.org • @acureinourlifetime

Tours of the Swan Coach House (pictured) and select private estates will be a part of the Decorative Arts Trust’s spring symposium.

BUZZ

SANDY SPRINGS EDUCATION

FORCE STEAM SHOWCASE

March 17

sandyspringseducationforce.org @ssefgeorgia

Join small businesses and technology enthusiasts at North Springs High School to explore cutting-edge STEAM innovations through interactive exhibits at this free, all-ages event. Now in its 16th year, discover how science, technology, engineering, arts and math are shaping Sandy Springs’ future.

TREES OF THE PRESERVE

April 11

bhnp.org • @bhnpatlanta

Blue Heron Nature Preserve partners with Trees Atlanta for its Second Saturday Safari series, exploring the preserve’s forest ecosystem. Participants learn how trees provide oxygen, cool temperatures and support wildlife and discover the ecological importance of urban forests. The event requests a small donation fee to attend.

CHAMBLEE

RESTAURANT WEEK

April 12-18

chambleerestaurantweek.net @chamblee.ga

The fifth annual Chamblee Restaurant Week will showcase the city’s culinary diversity from Buford Highway to historic downtown. Participating restaurants offer signature dishes and select menu items at set prices. Diners can sample cuisine ranging from longtime favorites to recently opened establishments.

JCC KIDS NIGHT OUT

April 25

atlantajcc.org • @mjcca

The Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Club J offers parents a break with Kids Night Out this spring. Children pre-K through fifth grade are invited to enjoy games, a silent disco, movies and pizza from 5-9 p.m. Members pay $50 for the first child and $15 each additional attendee; non-members pay $65 and $15, respectively.

WONDERLAND

Pundits say there’s no such place. Yet in glorious, tax-free Tennessee (also overlooked by pundits) is a lake and golf community with an enthusiastic and welcoming membership whose days are spent on the lake, the course, courts and trails. Manicured, private and featuring exceptional residences. Makes you wonder, why not Tennessee?

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

STARS OF TV AND FILM PLUS THE INNOVATORS BOOSTING GEORGIA’S FILM INDUSTRY

There’s something about the allure of the big and small screens. As Georgia’s film industry has grown to become one of the most productive in the world, so too has its impact on our hometown. It’s not uncommon to see productions filming on our streets, calls for extras to fill the background of soon-to-be blockbusters and friends sharing brushes with visiting celebrities. From actors telling stories of their rise to on-camera success to a local studio making industry waves and a how-to on breaking into background acting, the stories in this feature have you covered.

Background actors help make hits such as "The Walking Dead," filmed in Atlanta, come to life.

UNEXPECTED GATE-CRASHER

COLBY NATASHA NIXON STEPS “BEYOND THE GATES”

WITH HER FIRST TV ROLE STORY: Amy Meadows PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Colby Natasha Nixon didn’t grow up watching soap operas. She never saw Marlena’s possession in Salem on “Days of Our Lives.” She had no idea that Victor Newman was Victoria’s real father, as revealed on “Young and the Restless.” And she wasn’t even born yet when “General Hospital’s” Luke and Laura made television history by marrying in a wedding watched by 30 million viewers (with a cameo by none other than Elizabeth Taylor).

It wasn’t until Nixon booked her own role as Katherine “Kat” Richardson on CBS’s newest daytime drama, “Beyond the Gates,” that she understood the impact of the enduring and beloved soap opera genre and of the show itself.

“I didn’t realize how many people were raised on soap operas. And I didn’t realize how historic this show was,” says Nixon, who landed her role in 2024. Filmed at Assembly Studios in Doraville and premiered in February 2025, “Beyond the Gates” is the first new network soap in more than 25 years and the first American daytime drama to feature a predominantly Black cast since NBC’s “Generations” in 1989. The show focuses on a prestigious, multi-generational family living in a gated, suburban Maryland community. Nixon, who relocated to the Buckhead area for the opportuni-

ty, plays the confident and stylish Kat, daughter of main characters, Nicole and Ted Richardson. “When I started doing research about [executive producer] Sheila Ducksworth and the production, I was floored. I couldn’t believe that someone like me—a girl from Richmond, Virginia, who just completed graduate school—could be lucky enough to be on this iconic show. I feel incredibly grateful, and I’m still pinching myself more than a year in.”

In the not-too-distant past, Nixon didn’t know if she would ever be able to pursue her professional passion. She fell in love with the stage as a child after her mother put her in singing and acting classes (mom made the switch upon discovering that her daughter had far too much energy for ballet). Nixon attended a magnet high school for musical theater and earned a musical theater degree from Howard University. However, in 2018, a case of sepsis landed her in the hospital for a month, during which she was blindsided with a diagnosis of lupus.

“When I left the hospital, I was devastated because I didn’t know if I would ever be able to perform again,” says Nixon, who was encour-

aged by her now-husband Keith Lamar Nixon Jr. to go to graduate school as she figured out her next steps. She attended the University of California San Diego and earned an acting MFA degree in 2024, after which everything changed quickly. She soon found her first professional gig in the touring production of the comedic play “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.” Only a month into that tour, she booked “Beyond the Gates,” her first television show, which has delighted longtime soap fans and attracted new ones.

“It’s such a gift to be part of a show that’s kind of rejuvenated the genre,” she says, noting that filming in Atlanta at the state-of-theart Assembly Studios made the opportunity even sweeter. “I never thought I would end up in Atlanta, but it makes so much sense. The film industry is booming, and we have something so special here. It’s the perfect place to be. The first time I drove to Assembly and walked in, I was close to tears. I couldn’t believe I was in this place. It’s so professional, so high-tech and so well done. It’s a gift to get to go there every single day.”

The show, which recently was

renewed for a second season, has also given Nixon a platform she never expected, allowing her to connect with viewers as she delves deeply into her character and to inspire others through her advocacy, including her work with the Lupus Foundation of America. “I’m really excited to find ways for people to see Colby and not just Kat,” says Nixon, whose character is also a “lupus warrior.” “I hope people can see themselves in me. I want to talk to those with disabilities and chronic illnesses. When I was diagnosed with lupus, I was looking for people who were successful and had the same struggles so I could keep moving and keep fighting. As the show keeps going, I hope they’ll see more of Colby in themselves.”

Nixon is grateful for the chance to show viewers a thriving and relatable family through the soap opera genre. “It’s important for people to see. These characters are successful, but they’re also messy and have family drama. I think this show is a reminder that we’re not that far apart,” she says. “We’re so much more alike than we are different. And I’m proud to be part of a show that brings people together.” n colbynatasha.com • @colbynatasha

“I'm proud to be part of a show that brings people together.”

—Colby Natasha Nixon

Wardrobe: Hellessy Bardot Convertible Blazer in Pink / Orchid ($1,890), Hellessy Harry Pants with Lace Tuxedo Stripe in Pink ($1,090), available at Tootsies. Boots and earrings, stylist’s own.

CREATIVE RISE

When Assembly Atlanta broke ground in Doraville in 2021, it marked the next chapter for a 135acre section of a former General Motors factory site and continued to position Georgia as a competitor in global television and film infrastructure. What began as a bold conversion project has since blossomed into a thriving hub of creativity. The next phase of its development promises a transformation good for the industry it serves and for the Atlanta community.

Backed by Gray Media Inc.and development partners, the Assembly vision initially came to life in 2023 with 19 soundstages fully supported by modern production services. “We are filling a need for a studio lot like you would find in Los Angeles, with every amenity a production needs in one place,” Senior Vice President of Assembly Atlanta and Gray Media Rick Burns, a Brookhaven resident, said during a conversation in 2023 when Simply Buckhead reported on Assembly’s phase one development.

Since then, and with NBCUniversal as an anchor tenant and facility

STORY: Karina Antenucci

The fountains at Assembly Atlanta in Doraville, were designed by the folks behind the famed Bellagio water feature in Las Vegas.

From top left: The Jewel Box, an event space; a soundstage; and hit CBS soapopera drama "Beyond the Gates" filming at Assembly Atlanta.

manager, Assembly has become home to a growing list of productions with A-list stars, including Amy Adams, Javier Bardem, Glen Powell, Eva Longoria and Samuel L. Jackson. The hit CBS soap-opera drama “Beyond the Gates” recently returned to film its second season there. Other notable productions have included projects for Hulu, Apple TV+, NBC and Peacock, such as “Murdaugh: Death In the Family,” “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” “Cape Fear” and “Grosse Pointe Garden Society.” Of the latter, Burns says, “They built the garden in the show just outside our gates. It was beautiful to drive into Assembly and see it.”

Assembly’s productions have created job opportunities for local crews and contractors who make up around 80% of the workforce on a set, Burns says. Additionally, the Georgia Film Academy, a nonprofit, film-focused workforce development program backed by the University and Technical College systems of Georgia, has moved its school within Assembly’s walls. When productions hire students, they qualify for state tax deductions towards a 10% uplift on top of a 20% tax credit.

But TV and film aren’t all Assembly is about. Recognizing the possibilities beyond soundstages, Assembly has hosted weddings, cocktail parties, political fundraisers and brand events for Lamborghini, McLaren and The Home Depot. In 2023, the team opened The Jewel Box, an event space overlooking the property. With a capacity for around 150 guests, the area evokes

ECO ON CUE

Electric Owl powers sustainable productions STORY: Karina

Electric Owl Studios in Decatur doesn’t just talk the talk when it comes to sustainability: They walk the walk. The studios, which opened in 2023, span more than 300,000 square feet and were designed from the ground up with environmentally conscious infrastructure, earning it LEED Gold certification, a designation given by the U.S. Green Building Council to projects demonstrating high environmental performance. The campus provides third-party production companies and studios, such as Netflix, Warner Bros., Disney and Paramount, with six sound-

proof, open-concept soundstages of 20,000 to 30,000 square feet each, along with expansive office spaces, wardrobe/green rooms and support areas as a home base for filming TV shows and movies. With eco-friendly practices as a founding principle, Electric Owl integrates a host of green features and energy-efficient systems. These include solar panels to offset 30% of the studio’s power usage, electric vehicle charging stations, living plant walls, a comprehensive recycling program, pollinator bee hives, non-toxic cleaning supplies, LED lighting, filtered water bottle refill

stations and a green catering policy that eliminates Styrofoam and single-use condiments, dishes and cutlery. Even the golf carts transporting crews around the property are solar powered. The transitfriendly location just steps from MARTA further reduces the carbon footprint of visitors and locals alike.

With a combination of cuttingedge production facilities and practices, Electric Owl demonstrates how sustainability and productions can coexist seamlessly. n

a hotel lobby vibe rich in jewel tones and features art inspired by Georgia and global travels. Atlanta artist Clint Bearden created the "golden curtain" feature that surrounds its bar. City of Doraville events have also been hosted in the 5-acre public park just outside Assembly’s gates. The park features landscaped picnic lawns and fountains created by the designers of Las Vegas’s famed Bellagio Hotel & Casino water feature, with LED light shows in both.

Under construction now is what Burns calls “The Pringle,” a clamshell amphitheater and stage similar in size to the Fox Theatre’s. Slated to debut in time for the 2026 FIFA

World Cup, which will take place downtown over a month, the stage will showcase concerts, movie and sports broadcasts to park guests.

Assembly’s long-range vision also includes retail, restaurants and a hotel, all embedded within a creative-first framework that allows filming to happen anywhere on the property. The aim, Burns says, is to build a “creative playground” where locals and visitors can shop, stay, hang out, dine and be inspired while honoring Atlanta’s unique flavors including elements of street art and music.

The proposed hotel, unnamed but slated for a 2028 opening, is a 200-room Hotel Bel-Air-inspired

structure where art meets design. It will be attached to an exhibit hall with custom-designed Dale Chihuly artworks including a chandelier boasting all the hues of the color wheel. The Assembly team is also working on an entertainment-centric complex, with partners including IMAX Corporation, on the 285 side of the site that will be paired with a high-end shopping experience.

“We want people to visit Assembly when they visit Atlanta like a true destination spot in the city. Our whole theme is ‘write your own story,’” Burns says. n

Antenucci

With a high commitment to sustainability, Electric Owl Studios' soundstages are LEED Gold Certified.

Rick Burns, senior vice president of Gray Media and Assembly Atlanta.

FROM FAN TO FILMMAKER

make a point of heading to a theater to catch the latest films. start a business, make some money and produce movies.”

he sold 10 years ago. After a brief detour in the ministry, he created

Rodfather Productions using the nickname friends and family gave him for his Godfather-like drive to get things done.

“Once I decided to pursue film, it was a matter of finding the right script and the right team,” McClure says. “I did, and production started in September on Both Eyes Open.”

After a brief theatrical release, the thriller was bought by STARZ and shot to the top spot on the site’s most-popular list. The company’s second venture, the romantic Funny Feelings, is scheduled for release this summer. A few series and a kids’ animated cartoon project are also in the works.

Part of his success, McClure says, is a combination of location and timing. “We love Atlanta and what’s happening with the state offering film incentives and people from the West Coast moving here,” he says. “It also has phenomenal opportunities for small film companies to fill the gaps while larger companies are struggling in an evolving market. There’s an insatiable need for more content, especially Black content, and we’re looking to produce more.”

That shouldn’t be a challenge, given that McClure says his phone rings constantly with opportunities from writers and producers who want to collaborate following the success of Both Eyes Open. One of his two daughters, Morgan, and son-in-law Joshua Ferrell work alongside him to handle the business, which he describes as “a big family party” with an indie edge.

“One thing that sets us apart is that we have the resources to operate independently of networks, and we can produce multiple projects annually,” he says. “It usually takes three, four or five years to raise the capital to produce a film, but we have the personal capital to crank out these projects. That makes us a gamechanger.”

Having those resources now is the result of a long-term wealthbuilding strategy the couple put in place years ago, McClure says. And he credits his wife of 35 years for supporting the investment in his movie aspirations.

“She gave me the green light to pursue my dreams,” he says. “We’re a dynamic duo.” n

RODFATHER PRODUCTIONS @rodfatherproductions

At first glance, Sebastian Hansen, 15, looks like many other Atlanta high schoolers juggling homework, band practice and weekends with friends. But on screen, he’s become one of Hollywood’s recognizable young faces, thanks in large part to his starring role in A Minecraft Movie, the blockbuster that became one of the highest-grossing releases of 2025. For Hansen, the leap from “regular kid” to global franchise star has been swift, but the foundation beneath it has been years in the making.

Hansen’s parents noticed his natural ease with people and performance at a young age. “I was a precocious child with an outgoing spirit and found it easy to build rapport with others,” he says. “They saw how comfortable I was communicating and encouraged me to explore creative outlets.” Along with acting classes, Hansen participated in music and theater programs.

One of his first professional roles came at age 8 on Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle,” though Hansen admits his memories of that experience are hazy. A later project, however, left a lasting imprint. In the film Just Mercy, Hansen shared the screen with Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx. “That felt like my first real big role,” he says. “I was surrounded by such talented actors, and it was a fun experience. [Director] Destin Daniel Cretton was incredibly kind and gave me latitude to make character suggestions. Michael B. Jordan really encouraged me and made me feel proud of my talent.”

As he’s grown older, Hansen’s understanding of acting and filmmaking has deepened. “When I started, I didn’t fully grasp how many people it takes to make a film,” he says. “Now I really understand how my performance fits into the bigger story.” A turning point came with Apple TV+’s “Lisey’s Story,” adapted from Stephen King’s novel and directed by Pablo Larraín. “He expected a lot from me, which made me work even harder,” Hansen says. “I had to really understand the full storyline, the character’s emotions and the complexity of the world we were building.”

That sense of curiosity carried into A Minecraft Movie, where Hansen plays Henry, a character navigating change with creativity and imagination alongside industry titans including Jennifer Coolidge and

grounded STORY: Karina Antenucci

Jason Momoa. “I related to Henry a lot,” he says. “I’m in high school and navigating big changes, and I’ve always liked tinkering, taking things apart to see how they work.”

He’d love to work again with Minecraft co-star Jack Black, whom he credits with teaching him to enjoy the process. “I learned so much from him. He’s genuinely a good-hearted person, and I really respect him.”

Off set, Hansen wants to keep life feeling normal. Balancing school with major film projects isn’t easy, but a strong support system helps.

“I definitely have to sacrifice some personal time, but it’s worth it,”

he says. On a typical school day, he attends classes and heads to marching band practice, where he plays the quints, a set of five drums. Hansen also enjoys video games,

interested in exploring roles involv ing stunts or pursuing a character in a drama or thriller. “I’m open to anything that helps me grow,” he says. With a Minecraft sequel already in the works, Hansen’s career momentum shows no signs of slowing. Still, he remains grounded. “I’ve been really lucky to have found the support and encouragement I needed, and I hope I can keep doing what I love while inspiring others to do the same.” n

@thesebastianhansen

EXTRA! EXTRA!

HOW TO MAKE IT BIG IN THE BACKGROUND OF ATLANTA’S HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS STORY: Emily L. Foley

When you think of Atlanta’s film industry, the first thing that might pop to mind is the A-listers it brings to the area. You may also think of the trade industry members who are the backbone of “Hollywood of the South” and without whom there would be no productions at all. But there’s another integral part of that backbone that not everyone remembers: extras. How believable is a scene on the football field of Chad Powers without a stadium full of fans? And without a sea of “Walkers,” the storyline of The Walking Dead wouldn’t even exist. Extras, also called background actors, are the people in a production who appear in the background of scenes to enhance the realism around the primary players. Many people don’t even notice them when watching a show or film, but their absence would make a scene fall flat and feel fake. Although

these roles are almost always non-speaking, they typically include wardrobe, hair, makeup and a casting process.

Pay rates for extras vary, but adults can expect between $12 to $15 an hour, while kids typically get paid in the $9 to $10 an hour range. Most filming days are either eight or 10 hours, and extras are paid overtime if the day is extended. It is also normal to receive a “gas bump” if filming is far outside Atlanta proper. Extras also get a stipend for the time spent at costume fittings. These appointments typically occur the week before filming, and entail trying on costume options the costume department has pulled.

So how do you get cast as an extra? Facebook is your best friend. Join the following groups and start looking for gigs you fit. Listings share exactly what the casting company needs as far as age and physical appearance, and they typically list

the date, city or area where filming will take place, along with the pay rate and expected length of the day.

n CL Casting facebook.com/CatrettLockeCasting

n Extras Casting Atlanta facebook.com/ExtrasCastingAtlanta

n Tammy Smith Casting Atlanta facebook.com/tammysmithcasting

n Set Life Casting Atlanta facebook.com/SetLifeCastingATL

n CAB Castings facebook.com/cabcastings

Here are some tips to make sure you have the best possible experience on set as an extra and, hopefully, help you get cast again.

Be Prepared to Wait

Filming always has a lot of down time. No matter what the call sheet says or how concrete the schedule sounds, expect delays, changes and waiting. That said, it’s imperative to bring device chargers, a bottle of wa-

ter and snacks. Catering feeds everyone well on set, but for in-between meals, you may not be near a craft services table—that well-stocked snack area that is an integral part of any set—so having your own snacks and water is the safest bet for staying comfortable during all eventualities.

Don’t Be a Fan

Extras often end up working near or having lunch in the same room as the stars, but it’s important to remember these people are working, and approaching them can be annoying or even disrupt their creative process.

Have a Good Attitude

It may seem like one background actor doesn’t matter, especially in a scene with lots of other people, but good extras make an incredible difference, and your attitude doesn’t go unnoticed. The film industry is widely connected, so having a bad attitude, complaining and asking for special treatment can get you blacklisted from working on future productions. n

Extras make "The Walking Dead" scenes feel authentic and alive (or in this case, dead).

HER GREATEST ROLE

Christine Evette Giles, an actor, producer, writer and speech pathologist, grew up in a military family who moved around the world. “It was the begin ning of my acting career because every time I moved, I had to put on a new mask,” she says. The choice of the word “mask” is intentional, as Giles was diagnosed with autism in 2025. “I’ve been masking my whole life,” she says.

Giles, a mom of three, has had a private speech pathology practice for 22 years, helping families with autism. However, she has always had creative pursuits on the side. “As a writer and director, I’m building a body of work that centers under represented voices, particularly women, families navigating neurodiversity and Black communities processing generational trauma,” she says. Here, she shares her creative projects related to autism.

Why did you want to help those with autism?

I always felt called to help autistic kids cope and interact in the world, but it wasn’t until my son told me, ”Mom, the reason you were never able to help me fully is because you could never help yourself,” that I understood that I also have autism. It impacts relationships and the way people show up: the way you pay bills, organize your house, etc. I estimate that 45 to 60% of families are affected by autism, ADHD or some sort of neurodivergence. My mission is to create an ecosystem that brings resources to families and awareness to what autism looks like.

How has that manifested creatively for you?

In 2024, I created a concept television show called “Therapy Ties” about a family with a son, Lingo, through my production company, Adonai and I. We filmed at Bobcat Studios on the Upper Westside. After that, I said I wanted to go deeper, so I am in preproduction for a 34-minute film called “Lingo.” It’s about a nonverbal boy with autism who longs to communicate but who has a mom who refuses to negatively label her son and a

Multi-hyphenate Christine Evette Giles tells stories centered on autism STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Erik Meadows

and freeing a trapped voice. Every character in this movie has one. This is a kind of conflict that a lot of families have in their homes, and it’s based on my life experiences. A lot of neurodivergency is lost in the connection, not the communication. I wanted to highlight that awareness in a dramatic way.

psychologist, behavioral therapist and counselor who work together. They have a desire to help others learn how to communicate, but they have a hard time communicating themselves because of the breakdowns that occur due to their neurodivergence. It’s like “The Office” meets “Abbott Elementary.”

creates space for authentic programming and storytelling to raise awareness, shift culture, and build pathways for neurodivergent individuals and families to access support, training, and opportunities in art, entertainment and technology. n indyearth.org • @adonaiandi

DELICIOUS

Go Fish

SEAFOOD STILL REIGNS AT ATLANTA FISH MARKET

Whether it’s your first or 100th visit to Atlanta Fish Market, as you dig into whatever you ordered, there’s an inescapable pang of regret that you didn’t get here sooner. The dining destination on Pharr Road since 1993 packs its lunch, dinner, sushi, lobster, happy hour and drink menus with so many temptations that choosing just one meal almost guarantees you’ll make a silent promise to return and try what you had to skip.

More than cravings can lure you back. Atlanta Fish Market offers multiple dining spaces, each with its own spin on the restaurant’s theme. Grab a stool at the bar and nibble on sushi, choose an umbrella table on the outdoor patio and crack a lobster, slide into a booth in the spacious main dining room facing the kitchen and dig into a mound of shrimp fettuccine alfredo, or sit near the display of seafood on ice and feast on a seafood tower. ➥

STORY: Hope S. Philbrick

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

Atlanta Fish

Market’s menus boast “Atlanta’s largest selection of fresh, wild caught fish.”

Friendly, attentive servers aim to please guests throughout the building, which was designed to mimic the character and charm of the historic fish markets in Savannah, the hometown of Pano Karatassos, founder and CEO of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Atlanta Fish Market’s parent company.

To create the illusion that the property evolved over time, the bar is styled as an earlier structure off the main dining room while the elevated platform suggests a later addition, though it was all constructed as a single project. In front of the building, a 65-foot-tall patinated fish appears to leap from the ground. In the main dining room above the kitchen, a mural by Atlanta artist Lee Bivens is packed with famous Georgia faces and places. Details like live lobster tanks and brass bulkhead sconces throughout reinforce the design’s overall intent.

Executive Chef Ian Bailey’s menus change seasonally and are tweaked weekly to showcase available fresh seafood, though classic signature dishes are always available. Menus boast that the restaurant offers “Atlanta’s largest selection of fresh, wild caught fish.” All seafood arrives 18- to 36-hours out of the water for optimal freshness. Diners who prefer to avoid seafood can dig into steak, chicken, salads and numerous veggie sides.

The top section of the menu has enough variety to order something different every day for more than two months. Take your pick among 16 types of fish and then choose whether your center-cut filet is sautéed, broiled, blackened or prepared Hong Kong style—the most popular choice. It became the restaurant’s signature dish in 1996 by presenting fish with sherry soy broth, scallions, ginger, spinach and basmati rice for a delightful merger of sweet and umami flavors. Two long-standing signature items are available as either an appetizer or entree: The jumbo lump crab cake gives dense, sweet meat a tangy kick with lemon and grainy mustard emulsion, while the lightly fried South African cold water lobster tail is served with honey-mustard aioli and drawn butter dipping sauces to tingle your taste buds.

The popular gumbo is packed with sweet seafood nuggets, savory sausage bites and a zippy spice blend; a scoop of basmati rice helps soak up

Above: Fish tacos rank among the mouthwatering lunch options.

Above: Hong-Kong style is the most popular preparation option for fish filets.

Below: The sushi is a treat for the eyes and taste buds.

The jumbo lump crab cake is a winning appetizer or entree.

Right: You won’t want to miss one drop of this zippy gumbo.

Below: A grouper sandwich for lunch helps improve the rest of the workday.

every drop of the rich broth. Pecan crusted salmon trout coats a tender fish filet with delicate crunch. Swordfish steak crusted with cashews and cracked pepper adds a buttery/spicy crunch to the succulent fish. Can’t limit yourself to one type of seafood? Consider the signature stuffed flounder casserole that’s packed with shrimp, crab, scallops and mushrooms in a white wine sauce; the dish makes a good case that sophistication is edible. Lobster mac ’n cheese is a decadent side option that’s both gooey and toothsome.

Happy hour in the sushi bar offers sit-at-the-counter camaraderie and the best version of sticker shock: lower than expected prices. Every Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. select beers, wines and cocktails are priced so low you might wonder what year the menu was printed. Bar bites range from nibbles to snacks; order several to make a meal out of a deal. Featured four-

piece sushi rolls include the fresh, light and slightly sweet California roll plus the mildly spicy super crunch roll. Calamari, oysters, fish tacos are among the other options.

For a satisfying lunch, fish or shrimp can be blackened, fried or grilled then tucked into three soft taco shells with lettuce, tomato pico and spicy guacamole. Grouper can be sauteed or fried before it’s slid into a bun, topped with tomato, lettuce and mayo then plated alongside expertly cooked fries.

Desserts like toffee crunch pie are worth the calorie splurge but so rich with deep chocolate flavor that after a few bites you might decide to pack up the rest for a later treat.

Before heading out, stop by Pano’s Food Shop, a takeaway market that offers daily cuts of fresh seafood, as well as steaks, sides, signature ingredients and desserts. Stocking up can help quell hankerings before a return visit. n

Atlanta Fish Market

404.262.3165 • atlantafishmarket.com • @atlantafishmarket

Prices: Entrees, $20-$56; platters, $50-$57; iced seafood tower, $22-$92; sandwiches, $20-$38; soups & salads, $12-15; sides, $8-$39; happy hour bites, $8-24; sushi, $9-$16; desserts, $9-$10; cocktails, $8-$25; wines, $8-$35/glass, $48-$150/bottle.

Recommended: Super crunch roll, seafood gumbo, jumbo lump crab cake, fried grouper sandwich, Hong Kong combo and toffee crunch pie.

Bottom line: This Atlanta mainstay offers a bustling vibe, multiple dining areas, eye-catching works of art, attentive service and skilled preparations of high-quality dishes and drinks.

Toffee crunch pie is a rich, decadent treat.

Above: Still bitter with the addition of grapefruit, a lighter and more refreshing Negroni can be found at Joey D’s Oak Room.

THE BITTER END

Variations that prove that the Negroni is genius STORY: Angela Hansberger

The Negroni, with its elegant symmetry of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, has long reigned as the undisputed heavyweight of bittersweet cocktails. But the very structural brilliance that makes the classic so lasting is precisely why it refuses to stay put. Created in Italy in 1919, the most versatile aperitivo has a spectrum of permutations, inviting bartenders to swap out core ingredients, creating something wholly new yet fundamentally familiar. From citrus twists that lengthen and brighten along with soda water to bourbon-based renditions that transform its bitter edge into a chocolatey hug, modern Negroni variations offer boundless interpretations.

The Negroni recipe is one you can remember: 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce Campari and 1 ounce sweet vermouth stirred with ice, strained and garnished with orange peel. It’s a balance of bittersweet and botanical, and a customizable blueprint for perfect balance. Switching out an ingredient sometimes makes another

classic. Bourbon instead of gin gives us the Boulevardier. Rye instead of gin and dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth makes an Old Pal. For a lighter and more floral (but still bittersweet) version, a White Negroni replaces Campari and sweet vermouth with Suze gentian liqueur and Lillet Blanc aperitif wine.

Predecessor of the Negroni, the Americano is a lower alcohol version made with equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth and soda water. The lore behind the classic goes that Count Camillo Negroni asked a drink maker to create a stronger version of the Americano by replacing soda water with gin. The bartender complied, also swapping the lemon garnish for an orange peel, and the new concoction became known as the Negroni. While not on the menu, the perfect spot to order an Americano in Atlanta is The Americano, where bartenders will happily whip one up. It would pair well with polenta cremosa with truffle mushrooms.

Sbagliato translates to “mistak-

en” or “wrong” in Italian, but it is a delicious, lighter and bubbly version. Swapping sparkling wine for gin also lowers the alcohol by volume. The Negroni Espagligo at The Bank Bar at Grand Hyatt Atlanta is a bitter, sweet and strawberry scented version. Light and refreshing, it is composed of strawberryinfused vermouth, concentrated Aperol and prosecco.

In a Basque version of the Italian archetype, Cooks & Soldiers employs rye whiskey, Spanish vermouth and Campari. La Flaneur is a variation of an Old Pal that adds a hint of chocolate flavor to the bittersweet outline with crème de cacao. There is a fruity herbal twist as well, with Patxaran, a sloe (blackthorn) flavored liqueur with a unique anise backbone.

Left: La Flaneur is a Basque take on a classic Negroni at Cooks & Soldiers. THE AMERICANO theamericanoatlanta.com @the_americano_atlanta

Joey D’s Oak Room in Dunwoody features a bubbly and citrus play on the Negroni. Named for a 1948 film, the Bicycle Thief keeps the base of gin and Campari but substitutes grapefruit juice and lemon for vermouth, and adds soda water

Prosecco bubbles lift aromatic strawberry-infused vermouth in The Bank Bar’s Negroni Espagligo.

to lengthen the drink. It’s lighter, still bracing and perfect for the sunny patio.

Swapping out sake for gin makes a softer but still botanical Negroni that is lower in alcohol and more mellow. Five terms that describe sake’s flavor profile are bitter, dry, sweet, acidic and astringent, all of which are comparable to gin’s complexities. At Nobu, the Oni Negroni combines the two spirits. Brisk and restorative, it stirs together Wonderbird dry gin, sweet vermouth, Aperol and Onikoroshi sake. The Junmai sake is a dry and crisp addition. The Nobu branded ice elevates the Japanese take on a Negroni even further. n

THE BANK BAR • bankbaratl.com • @bankbaratl

COOKS & SOLDIERS cooksandsoldiers.com • @cooksatl

JOEY D’S OAK ROOM

joeydsoakroom.com • @joeydsoakroom

NOBU • noburestaurants.com • @nobuatlanta

Personal Taste

Mirae brings modern Asian-fusion flavors to Brookhaven

Husband-and-wife restaurateurs

John and Grace Lee, who are also behind Chamblee’s Japanese cafe and sushi bar Fudo, offer modern takes on classic Asian comfort dishes at their latest concept, Mirae, now open in Brookhaven. We spoke with the Lees about the inspiration for their latest venture, named for the Korean word “future.”

How did your personal experiences influence Mirae?

GRACE: Our menu showcases many

BY Claire Ruhlin

FOOD NEWS

n New Orleans cocktail bar Barrel Proof made its Atlanta debut at the end of 2025 with its opening at the Westside Provisions District. Expect a wide selection of whiskey, rare spirits, craft cocktails and elevated bar fare. barrelproofatl.com

n Lo Kee is now open at the Interlock in West Midtown. The concept, which combines Asian and Southern flavors, comes from restaurateurs Dara Mirjahangiry and Ivi Shano, who are also behind New York City’s Sei Les. lokeeatl.com

dishes that are tied to our team’s inspirations and experiences. Whether it’s dishes they enjoyed growing up or ones they’ve recently come across, it’s filled with dishes our team really wanted to elevate and add a slight fusion twist to.

How does Mirae put a modern spin on traditional comfort dishes?

JOHN: Our Claypot Chicken combines several elements of our favorite dishes: The toasted bouillon rice is an ode to our childhoods in the South

Korean countryside, and the crispy burnt/toasted rice bits were “treats” we fought over with our siblings at the end of meals. The bouillon rice, mushrooms, sweet peppers and Shanghai bok choy combine different Asian flavors with the earthy, aromatic flavor of the underlying truffle. It all works together to become a hearty dish that encapsulates what Mirae is all about.

What was the vision behind the cocktail, sake and soju selection?

GRACE: It is similar to our approach for our menu. We wanted to showcase some great cocktails that encapsulate slight Asian elements and pair well with our menu items.

What do you hope guests take away from their dining experience at Mirae?

GRACE: It’s important to us that Mirae feels like a place where guests can

Green Papaya Salad

Big Bad Breakfast has opened its 26th location on Howell Mill Road. Breakfast and brunch dishes are made with locally sourced ingredients and feature specialties such as house-cured bacon. bigbadbreakfast.com

relax, connect, enjoy good food and maybe try something new that they haven’t tasted before. n

Chef Niven Patel of Ghee Indian Kitchen shares a signature dish

Ghee Indian Kitchen opened its first Georgia location in West Midtown in fall 2025. The restaurant concept originated with two Miami locations, both of which earned Michelin Bibb Gourmand designations. Sample the menu with this green papaya salad recipe.

Green Papaya Salad with Sesame Jaggery Dressing and Spicy Peanuts Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

½ green papaya, grated (Can be substituted with shredded cabbage if green papaya isn’t available)

1 carrot, grated

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 English cucumber, diced

3 scallions, chopped

1 lemon, juiced

1 lime, juiced

1 garlic clove

¼ cup jaggery (can substitute brown sugar)

3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon Madras curry powder

4 tablespoons tamari soy sauce

Spicy peanuts, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Grate the green papaya using a large

grater. Soak the grated papaya in ice water for 20 minutes to help keep it crisp. Drain thoroughly and pat dry. Combine the papaya with grated carrot, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and scallions. Set aside. For the dressing, add all remaining ingredients except the peanuts to a blender. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour the dressing over the papaya mixture. Toss well, massaging the papaya gently so it softens and absorbs the flavors. Garnish with spicy peanuts or any peanuts you love. MIRAE • miraeatl.com • @miraeatl

INDIAN KITCHEN • gheemiami.com

John and Grace Lee, the husbandand-wife team behind Mirae

Andrew Thomas Lee

CT Cantina’s Secret Sauce? Family!

How Rafael Jaime blends tradition, talent and teamwork in every taco

STORY: Carly Cooper PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Owner of the new CT Cantina & Taqueria in Dunwoody, Rafael Jaime grew up on a ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, with 13 siblings. Today, he runs his authentic Mexican restaurant empire with the help of four of his children. Winner of the Lifetime Achievement in Business Excellence award from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jaime can almost

always be found at his restaurants— in Buckhead, Alpharetta, Fayetteville and Dania Beach, Florida—tinkering with recipes, ensuring quality control and visiting with customers. One example of his commitment to excellence? CT serves complimentary chips with four types of salsas to every guest. “I’m not afraid to spend the money to make us stand out,” he says. “The guest is more likely to return.”

so people would line up before we opened. I learned to make my own opportunity. Things get better when you do extra. I would ring up food, clean tables and take orders. Later, I became an official waiter. I was sent to an underperforming store to help motivate the manager. The restaurant improved. After three years, I left to manage another store. I changed it to be open all day. Other places began to follow. At age 26, I was asked to be a partner in another restaurant. Later, I had 23 restaurants in total. I didn’t want partners anymore. The original CT in Sandy Springs off Roswell Road closed, and I opened it in Halcyon, changing it from Cocina Taqueria to Cantina Taqueria. This is my family’s business. It’s what I always wanted.

How do you blend traditional flavors with modern culinary trends to appeal to a broader audience? We try to introduce what we like to our guests. We use the best meats and make quality tortillas in house. We try to teach our customers to eat authentic tacos with onions, cilantro and salsa—the way they come. Most restaurants put salsa on the side. Tomatillo salsa is not super spicy but has just enough kick to satisfy. Lettuce, cheese and tomato are an American thing. I put jalapeno in the cheese dip because I know it tastes better. There’s no flavor without it.

How did your childhood experiences on a ranch shape your philosophy?

I helped my father grow vegetables and raise pigs and cows. I had to put water in the troughs. We grew tomatoes. When they were ready, we cut them and rode three hours on donkeys to the town center. Then we put the tomatoes on a bus to take to another city to sell. You learn to work. Nothing is too hard.

How did you go from dishwasher to restaurateur?

When I was 18, I moved to Georgia to be with my brother. He put me to work washing dishes at El Toro on Buford Highway. There weren’t many Mexican restaurants,

How has growing up in a large family influenced your approach to leadership in the restaurant business? When you have a big family, you know how to deal with a lot of people. There are different personalities in the family; you get used to it. I have different approaches to working with different personalities based on what they need.

How do your children’s unique talents contribute to different aspects of the business?

I let them try new things and then delegate roles based on talent, so they don’t overstep. Gerardo works in the kitchen. Celeste is in charge of HR. Lorena does strategic planning. Ricardo focuses on operations, technology and menu design. n

CT Cantina owner Rafael Jaime (center) with his wife and children. From left: Gerardo Jaime, Maria Jaime, Rafael Jaime, Lorena Jaime, Ricardo Jaime and Celeste Jaime

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

A sampling of great eats in and around

Buckhead

McKendrick’s New York-style cheesecake is a long-time favorite.

From wood-fired pizzas to handmade pastas to steak, Ecco Buckhead has something for every taste.

Make it a surf-and-turf at Little Alley by adding a batter-fried Maine lobster tail alongside your steak.

BY: Wendell Brock, Rebecca Cha, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Angela Hansberger, Hope S. Philbrick PHOTOS: Madelynne Grace , Sara Hanna

ANTICO PIZZA NAPOLETANA

The best pizzas linger in memory and spark cravings long after that last piece is gone. Antico Pizza Napoletana’s original Westside location presents several contenders with its straightforward menu of 11 pizzas (five with red sauce, six with white) plus three calzones. San Gennaro makes taste buds swoon with its sweet, spicy, savory and salty combination of sausage, peppers, bufala mozzarella and cippolini onion atop the restaurant’s signature charred-yet-chewy crust. The specialty Sophia pizza is topped with mozzarella, onion, mushrooms and a hint of white truffle oil with sophisticated results. The crowd-pleasing Margherita D.O.P. presents a tantalizing combination of imported tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Lasagna pizza tops red sauce with meatballs, ricotta and Romano cheeses for flavors that are mild yet satisfying. Off-menu items include a pre-packaged salad and imported drinks. You’re welcome to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy alongside your meal with no corkage fee.

Pizza: $19-$27 • Calzoni: $18-$19 littleitalia.com

BROOKLYN CAFE

This Sandy Springs institution is never without crowds of satisfied diners, and it’s easy to see why. Join lunching locals over sandwiches and fresh salads such as the petite Caesar with peppery cayenne croutons or the mission fig and crumbled blue cheese with greens. The in-house smoked salmon salad is near perfection, as is the Brooklynfamous Reuben consisting of juicy corned beef piled atop buttery toasted rye. Dinner highlights include the blackened mahi tacos and crab cake salad. Wrap things up with mile-high double chocolate cake or the homemade Key lime pie, each one sliced to feed two or more. And as if the phenomenal grub weren’t enough, it’s all served up by a friendly, whiz-bang staff, making for a delightful meal you won’t soon forget.

Appetizers and salads: $7-$12 Sandwiches and mains: $11-$31

Desserts: $7 • brooklyncafe.com

DELBAR BUCKHEAD

A bazaar for the senses, Delbar Buckhead offers a taste of the Middle East with its lavish decor, boisterous vibe, vigilant service and bold spice levels. It’s a winning strategy based on its busy dining rooms, numerous online fans and Michelin recommended status since 2023. Expect a blend of tradition and modernity across menus packed with options. Cocktails taste spirit-forward while alcohol-free options range from spicy to sweet. Adana tops a rich lamb kebab with

spicy/herby zhoug and spicy sesame tahina sauces for abundant heat. Falafel balls are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside with an herby punch. Honey harissa chicken coats tender chicken with a sweet/spicy sauce. Sabzi polo is a rice that pairs with anything. The koobideh sandwich at lunch features a blend of lamb and beef. Thick fries are crisped to perfection and sprinkled with a tangy spice blend. Desserts include cardamom gelato, a soothing finish to a zesty feast.

Appetizers: $7-$28 • Greens and grains: $8-$23 • Meats, $20-$99 • Desserts: $8-$13 Lunch sandwiches: $18-$21 • Brunch bakery: $9-$24 • delbaratl.com/location-buckhead

ECCO BUCKHEAD

Meals at Ecco in Buckhead have the elegance and spontaneity of a spin around the dance floor, thanks to the hyper-seasonal approach to the menu. The kitchen shines in creative interpretations of European cuisine with dishes such as Spanish octopus with Castelvetrano olives, grilled pork tenderloin with beet top risotto, and tortellini stuffed with butternut squash and mascarpone. Perennial favorites such as fried goat cheese with honey and cracked black pepper and the Allora flatbread (with its San Marzano tomato sauce, still bubbling mozzarella, hot sopressata and pepperoni) don’t fail to impress. Paired with expert service, a nicely curated wine list and an atmosphere that’s at once sleek and cozy, this Phipps Plazaadjacent eatery warrants a visit. Bottom line: If you find something you crave, visit soon to get it before it’s gone.

Small plates: $9-$18 • Flatbreads: $15-$21

Pasta and mains: $19-$36 • Sides: $7-$12

Desserts: $6-$9 • ecco-atlanta.com

FLOWER CHILD

Get your groove on at this 21st century health food haven where bright colors, happy smiles and good vibes abound.

Whet your whistle with some refreshingly fruity on-tap kombucha (a fermented tea drink) and treat yourself to starters of tart, juicy tomato toast or creamy avocado hummus. You’ll be bowled over by the tantalizing flavors of the Mother Earth bowl, the Glow bowl and other health-friendly bowls, wraps and plates. Menu standouts include the “Forbidden Rice” bowl with grass-fed steak, the Mediterranean quinoa salad and for dessert, the vegan dark chocolate pudding. A limited wine and beer selection is available for those who prefer a cocktail with their quinoa or a tipple with their tofu.

Soups, salads and appetizers: $6.25-$12.50 Bowls, entrees and wraps: $10-$15.50 iamaflowerchild.com

GRINDHOUSE KILLER BURGERS

The Piedmont Avenue location of burgerpreneur Alex Brounstein’s success story is where you go for a superbly flavorful, juice-dripping, napkin-soaking beef patty with all the trimmings. Though you can customize your sandwich, consider the signature “Cowboy” treatment: cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beer-battered onion ring—for a slim $7.99. To gild the lily, add an order of Frings (that’s fries and rings), and ask for a side of the chipotle ranch dipping sauce. Here you can quaff a draft brew, slurp down a boozy shake, like the banana-flavored Puddin’ Out, or sip a “Snooty” cocktail such as the mezcal-based El Guapo.

Starters and sides: $2.50-$5.50 Burgers: $4.50-$8 • grindhouseburgers.com

MCKENDRICK’S STEAK HOUSE

A family-owned restaurant that celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025, McKendrick’s Steak House in the Perimeter Center district has a reputation for outstanding service. Lunch and dinner menus have much in common, though sandwiches and some salads are exclusively offered at lunch, and a few appetizers and entrees are only featured at dinner. Daily specials and specialty cocktails can have a seasonal spin. USDA prime Midwestern beef is the key feature here, though seafood options also abound. Steaks are cooked to order; enjoy your filet, ribeye or strip cut simply grilled or add your pick among the several different toppings offered. Tempura lobster is a standout with a delicate fried batter. Caesar salad pulls off the trick of being both crispy and creamy. Crab cakes showcase jumbo lump blue crab meat. Sides like mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and mushroom risotto complete a meal. Save room for the eponymous New York-style cheesecake. Appetizers: $10-$27 • Salads: $14-15

Seafood: $26-$70 • Prime steaks: $58-98

Sauces and toppings: $5-$35 • Sides: $10-$25

Desserts: $9-$20 • Specialty cocktails: $18$20 • Wine: $11-$28/glass, $13-$1,150/bottle mckendricks.com

LITTLE ALLEY

A meal at Little Alley is an escape, an immersive experience no matter where you find yourself seated. Settle in and indulge in the daily rotating selection of ultra-fresh raw oysters served with a trio of housemade sauces and an appetizer of brûléed bone marrow that’s so rich it could double as butter for grilled bread. The main event is an array of prime Angus cuts, both wet- and dry-aged from 28 to 60 days, so guests can choose their steak’s flavor intensity, cut and tenderness. If you’re really going for broke, make it a surf-and-turf with the addition of a flash-fried Maine lobster tail with drawn butter.

Whether you’re out for a special occasion, a business meeting to close a big deal or a “just because” meal, this is a carnivore’s paradise, with aged prime beef, ultra-fresh seafood and hearty sides served with gracious, professional service in a luxe atmosphere.

Starters: $17-$28 • Steaks: $52-$140

Sides: $11-$12 • Desserts: $12-$14 littlealleysteak.com

THE ONE SUSHI +

This glam space wedged in the back corner of Brookhaven’s Town Village is a neighborhood hot spot for Japanese small plates. The freshest fish flown in from Japan’s Tsukiji Market will impress the discerning sushi eater, while colorful rolls with clever names please the occasional dabbler. Sharable offerings and inspired snacks of zesty, yellowtail jalapeño shots and crispy fried bang bang rock shrimp are as fun as they are tasty. The drinking experience is worth celebrating as well, with a large selection of sake, shochu and whisky. We recommend the smoked toro, tender slices of tuna served under a dome of hickory smoke and the bulgogi-like Gangnam-style roll. Dinner: $6-$37 • theonesushiplus.com

TWISTED SOUL COOKHOUSE & POURS

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours on the westside ranks among Atlanta’s dining stars. The award-winning team that includes Chef/Owner Deborah VanTrece and Executive Chef Robert Butts proves that even the most recognizable dishes can soar above expectations. The dining room sets a casual vibe, but the menu offers familiar and creative dishes that are expertly prepared and artfully presented. There’s something for most any palate. Signature cocktails showcase seasonal ingredients in innovative, well-balanced concoctions such as “Dream of Spring” and “Little Miss Staycation.” The best-selling Southern marinated fried chicken sticks around even when the menu changes every three months. Each piece of the half-chicken has crispy skin and juicy meat, and is cast iron pan-fried to sheer perfection. Hoisin oxtails rank as the second best-seller, for good reason. Tender braised meat falls off the bone, its savory umami touched with sweet Cantonese flair. Layers of flavor and contrasting textures combine for scrumptious results.

Small plates: $6-$22 • Sandwiches: $15-$20 Salads: $12-$16 • Entrees: $24-$42

Desserts: $12 • Cocktails: $14-$17 twistedsoulatl.com

Note: Prices and menu items may have changed since original publication.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Visit simplybuckhead.com to read all of our restaurant reviews!

ATLANTA MAYOR’S MASKED BALL

STORY: H.M. Cauley

PHOTOS: Caselove Productions

The 42nd Annual UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball drew more than 2,000 spectacularly dressed participants to the Signia by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center in late December. Since its debut in 1983, the end-of-the-year gala, co-founded by Billye Aaron and then-Mayor Andrew Young, has raised funds and awareness for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The 2025 event continued that tradition, raising more than $4 million. The ball was hosted by UNCF Atlanta and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, supported by more than 100 executives who served as event vice chairs, and was emceed by actor-comedian Anthony Anderson. Notable attendees included UNCF CEO Michael Lomax, “Beyond the Gates” actor Brandon Claybon, WSB-TV anchor Karyn Greer and an array of student ambassadors.

Dr. Heavenly Kimes, Tameka Tiny Harris

Legendary R&B group En Vogue

Anthony Anderson with AUC Student Ambassadors Brandon Claybon

Mayor Andre Dickens, Karyn Greer, Michael Lomax

Dia Simms, Ron Cole, Tracie Franklin

Dr. David Thomas, Billye Aaron, Milton Jones, Justine Boyd

Rapper Jeezy

SMOOTH SIPPER

Raise a glass of 1792 Small Batch, a high-rye Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, at Atlanta Fish Market's popular happy hour. PHOTO: Erik Meadows

photo: Zach Veatch

Macias, OWNER

MARCH 27—

APRIL 12

FREEDOM PLANE NATIONAL TOUR: THE DOCUMENTS THAT FORGED A NATION

Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation is a traveling exhibition from the National Archives, giving Atlantans a rare opportunity to see important Founding-era documents right in their own backyard. Visit Atlanta History Center this spring for this incredible opportunity to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday!

Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the Freedom Plane National Tour will visit eight American cities throughout 2026, making historic and consequential documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible across the nation to celebrate the semiquincentennial. The tour will arrive at Atlanta History Center on March 27 and be here until April 12.

We are offering free admission to the Buckhead campus during the Freedom Plane National Tour. Entry to the Freedom Plane exhibition is timed and available onsite on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of your visit. Reservations are strongly encouraged (maximum of six tickets per order). Get your tickets now and don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime celebration!

CARA CARA

HOUS T ON • DALLAS • A TLANT A