2024 Atlanta 500: Arts, Sports, & Entertainment
These are Atlanta's 500 most powerful leaders. We spent months consulting experts and sorting through nominations to get a list of the city's most influential people—from artists to chefs to philanthropists to sports coaches and corporate CEOs. In this section, we focus on arts, film, music, entertainment, and sports.
Derek Trucks: Music should be about “lifting people up and stirring something in their souls”
Derek Trucks, the cofounder of Tedeschi Trucks Band—which he formed in 2010 with his wife, musician Susan Tedeschi—has strong family ties to Georgia. His uncle, Butch Trucks, was one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers Band, and Derek played with the reunited ABB from 1999 to 2014. We recently chatted with the renowned guitarist about the band’s latest album and the state of rock music today.
Remembering Atlanta drag legend Charlie Brown
Mr. Charlie Brown, the reigning queen of Atlanta drag queens, has taken her final bow. The performer died Thursday night at Piedmont Hospital from complications following heart valve replacement surgery. He was 74. For 50 years, the self-proclaimed “Bitch of the South” entertained Atlantans with his bawdy brand of comedy, withering audience monologues, and risqué musical numbers on stage at Lips Atlanta, the Atlanta Eagle, Underground Atlanta, Illusions, and dozens of other nightlight spots.
Here’s how redistricting changed Georgia’s 2022 maps for the House, state Senate, and U.S. House
In the rush of first-of-the-year news, you might have missed Georgia's new state House, state Senate, and Congressional maps, which were signed into law on December 31. Here's a look at the results of the latest redistricting process.
Q&A: B-52s’ Kate Pierson on her new solo album and playing in Atlanta
Over the decades, singer Kate Pierson has lent her voice to hit singles by R.E.M. and Iggy Pop and, of course, the Athens-birthed B-52s’ seven-album catalog. This summer, Pierson hits the road with her own band to introduce fans to her first-ever solo album.
What really happens inside an Atlanta swingers club?
At Trapeze Club, you won’t see a massive orgy upon entering. The large front room has a dance floor (with an obligatory stripper pole), a buffet table, and two bars. Most of the action occurs in the back.
The happiest chef in Atlanta—Aviva’s Kameel Srouji—explains his secrets. And why he loves you.
I love watching a customer’s face light up after taking a bite of my food. I’m friendly because it’s our tradition: to be generous, hospitable.
Q&A: Djimon Hounsou at the Atlanta screening of Guardians of the Galaxy
Arriving at Tuesday’s advance screening of Guardians of the Galaxy, the latest superhero summer popcorn movie from Marvel Studios, two-time Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou didn’t duck out for dinner with studio reps once the lights went down. Instead, Hounsou donned his 3D glasses, and settled into a seat with a large bottle of water and a bag of popcorn to watch the two-hour intergalactic comic book come to life. Hounsou is part of an ensemble cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, The Walking Dead’s Michael Rooker, Lee Pace, John C. Reilly, and Glenn Close. Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel lend their voices to the flick, portraying mutant, mouthy raccoon Rocket, and Groot, a walking, talking tree with a severely limited vocabulary.
Laughing Skull Comedy Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary
For this year’s “Skull Fest,” which runs May 9-12, a record 1,000 comedians applied for a spot, which guarantees at least five shows in front of audiences that include industry bookers, agents, and managers.
Welcome to Atlanta: Jermaine Dupri will produce a week of free concerts before Super Bowl LIII
Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri has been tasked with producing nearly a week worth of shows in downtown Atlanta leading up to the Super Bowl in 2019. Officials teased the events will be a "'Welcome to Atlanta' experience like no other.”